Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell to start – Predicted West Ham United XI v Fiorentina
David Moyes could be set to make as many as four changes to his West Ham starting lineup for the Europa Conference League final with Fiorentina on Wednesday.
The Hammers ended their domestic season over a week ago with a 2-1 loss to Leicester City in the Premier League, as Moyes opted to hand out some starts to fringe players ahead of this game.
But with this being the biggest game for West Ham in this century, mixed with the fact it’s the chance to win a trophy for the first time in over 40 years means Moyes is likely to go with the strongest side he has available to him.
Goalkeeper may be the only exception to that however, with many believing that Alphonse Areola is more than good enough to be the number one despite his status behind Lukasz Fabianski in the pecking order. The Frenchman has started every game in the competition so far, so it’s highly unlikely he gets dropped for the final.
Vladimir Coufal has won his place back at right-back and looks sure to be named in the starting lineup in his home country, while the experience and leadership of Aaron Cresswell could be preferred to the attacking abilities of Emerson on the left.
In the middle Moyes hasn’t been able to call upon Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd as a pair much this season due to injuries, but both are fit and should start together in the middle of a back four.
Declan Rice will likely be pulling on the claret and blue for the final time in Prague and he will start at the base of a midfield three to provide more protection for the defence, with another hometown man Tomas Soucek likely to be given a bit more freedom to get forward in the other midfield spot, meaning £12m man Flynn Downes will drop to the bench.
Ahead of them Brazilian Lucas Paqueta has found his best form of the season at the perfect time, and he’s likely to take up the role as the most advanced midfielder.
The front three currently picks itself and it’s unlikely that Moyes will move away from an attack that has worked well in a tough period for the club.
On the left-wing Maxwel Cornet hasn’t made the sort of impact he would have hoped for after his move from Burnley due to injury, so will have to settle for a place on the bench behind the in-form Said Benrahma.
On the right Jarrod Bowen is the undisputed first-choice so will start ahead of Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini in that position.
Gianluca Scamacca remains out injured after knee surgery, while Danny Ings has struggled to adapt since his transfer in January, meaning the door is open for Michail Antonio to lead the line.
