18th December 2025 Daniel Luker (@danielluker_)
By Conor Hogan
Nuno Espírito Santo has some big decisions to make when selecting his lineup for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City.
West Ham have performed well against Brighton and Aston Villa in recent weeks, despite taking just one point from those two games. Now, however, they face the daunting task of playing Pep Guardiola’s City – a side the Hammers have never beaten in the Premier League during the Spaniard’s tenure.
The challenge is made even tougher by the absence of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf, both of whom have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations. Losing both starting full-backs at this stage forces Nuno into reshaping his side against one of the best teams in the world.
Alphonse Areola will start in goal, but beyond that the XI is harder to predict. Although a back three has rarely worked well over the past year, Nuno may revert to it here, with Max Kilman returning alongside Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Kyle Walker-Peters should deputise on the right (either as a full-back or wing-back), but the left-back position presents a major dilemma. Ezra Mayers, who made his debut at Brighton, or the returning Ollie Scarles – out since October with injury – are the only realistic options. Both would be risks, but there are few alternatives.
Nuno must tread carefully. Scarles’ confidence looked fragile even before his injury; a strong showing could rebuild it, but a difficult afternoon could set him back further.
In midfield, Soungoutou Magassa, Freddie Potts and Mateus Fernandes should retain their places. Their energy and intensity will be vital against City’s possession-heavy approach. If Nuno opts for five at the back, expect Potts and Fernandes to start centrally, with Magassa dropping to the bench.
Jarrod Bowen will start in attack, ideally from the right, with Crysencio Summerville also likely to feature. The pair could even operate centrally if Nuno tweaks the system. However, given Summerville’s recent lack of end product, I’d be tempted to start Callum Wilson or Lucas Paquetá instead, using the Dutchman as a devastating impact substitute – as he was against Nottingham Forest in August.
Wilson, in particular, deserves a start after being benched for the past two matches. Paquetá remains a risk, but he has a habit of producing his best performances against elite opposition.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2):
Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Todibo, Scarles, Potts, Fernandes, Paquetá, Summerville, Bowen
MY PREFERRED XI (4-3-3):
Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Todibo, Scarles, Magassa, Potts, Fernandes, Bowen, Paquetá, Wilson