West Ham United are in the form of their life right now and they picked up yet another win in the Premier League last weekend, this time beating Leeds United.
David Moyes has managed to turn this Hammers side into a formidable force and given how he set up his side in their first Europa League game, it’s pretty clear that the manager is planning to go all the way in Europe.
This week, they play their second game in the Europa League group stages against Rapid Wien and barring any major calamity, the London side should be able to pick up all three points.
Wien do not have the best of records against English opposition, losing four out of their previous five encounters and this season they have won just two out of their first nine league matches. The Hammers on the other hand are seventh on the Premier League table, four points off the top spot.
Hammers team news vs Rapid Wien:
David Moyes has almost a fully fit squad to choose from with Ryan Fredericks being the only injury absentee. But the manager is going to rest some first-team players who played against Leeds United during the weekend.
Cresswell and Coufal should keep their place in the first XI on Thursday but Kurt Zouma is going to be rested as Craig Dawson comes into defence alongside Issa Diop.
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Fabianski will also be rested as Moyes has the perfect backup keeper in the form of Alphonse Areola.
Soucek and Rice have been the fulcrum for West Ham in central midfield and we don’t think David Moyes will be too eager to tinker with this pair on Thursday.
The attacking positions could see a total reshuffle as the West Ham United manager will be eager to test his bench strength.
The likes of Fornals, Benrahma are expected to move back to the bench as players like Masuaku and Lanzini come into the starting line up.
West Ham United predicted line up vs Rapid Wien:
Predicted Starting Line up: Areola; Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Coufal; Soucek, Declan Rice, Lanzini; Masuaku, Vlasic, Michail Antonio.
Read: Is this 23-year-old American midfielder set to replace Declan Rice at West Ham?
Stats via Whoscored.
