Football Aaron Cresswell returns as Lopetegui makes one major change – Predicted West Ham XI vs Bournemouthby Max Fletcher16 December 2024
West Ham United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 in their previous game to ease the pressure on Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers broke the deadlock through Tomas Soucek early in the second half, before Matt Doherty levelled it up for the visitors.
However, West Ham had the last laugh, as Jarrod Bowen fired the decisive goal in the 72nd minute to seal all points.
Lopetegui will look to build on that result when he takes his team to the South Coast to face Bournemouth on Monday night.
But that will be easier said than done, as the Cherries are coming off a run of three consecutive wins in the Premier League.
Lukasz Fabianski had a solid outing between the sticks last time against Wolves. The 39-year-old is expected to keep his first-team berth, with Alphonse Areola starting on the bench.
Emerson Palmieri is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Aaron Cresswell, who is yet to make a top-flight start this campaign, is in line to replace the Italy international at left-back.
Konstantinos Mavropanos produced an impressive display against Wolves, and Lopetegui should reward him with another start on Monday.
In midfield, the Spanish boss will once again rely on Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek. The Czech Republic international played a key role in West Ham’s victory last time, though the same cannot be said about Alvarez who was very slow and ponderous when in possession.
Lucas Paqueta should continue on the bench, with Carlos Soler impressive in the attacking midfield role.
Crysencio Summerville and Mohammed Kudus are nailed-on starters against Bournemouth, with Jarrod Bowen set to spearhead their attack.
Predicted West Ham XI vs Bournemouth:
Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Cresswell; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudus,Soler, Summerville; Bowen
