Football

West Ham vs Bačka Topola predicted lineups: Can Ward-Prowse power the hammers?

September 20, 2023 5:32 pm

The reigning UEFA Conference League winners West Ham will host Serbian Club Bačka Topola at the London Stadium. The Hammers look like a strong side after they smartly reinvested the Declan Rice money to get multiple new signings. The game is scheduled to kick off on 21st September at 8 PM UK standard time and will be whistled by Filip Glova.

West Ham vs Bačka Topola predicted lineups: Can Ward-Prowse power the hammers?
Photo by Icon Sport

West Ham vs Bačka Topola predicted lineups and team news

David Moyes’s side started brightly in the League, losing just one game, against champions Manchester City, out of the five they have played. New Signings James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez have hit the ground running. Moyes will be looking to make several changes in the starting XI to keep key men like star striker Michail Antonio fresh.

Bačka Topola have made it to the main stage of the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history and it will be a big match for the Serbians. Žarko Lazetić’s side has been in terrific form in the Serbian SuperLiga as they are unbeaten in their seven games and top the table with 19 points. Petar Stanić in particular has been in terrific form for the Vojvodina-based side.

Team news: West Ham

David Moyes can call upon an almost fully fit side as Álvarez has recovered from his minor injury. The Hammers are likely to field a much-rotated side with new signings Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mohammed Kudus making their debut.

The Irons will continue with their default 4-2-3-1 formation and Danny Ings could replace Antonio who should get a well-earned rest against a relatively weaker side. Thilo Kehrer and Aaron Cresswell could also find a starting berth.

West Ham predicted line-up (4-2-3-1)

Fabianski; Kehrer, Zouma, Mavropanos, Cresswell; Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Kudus, Benrahma; Ings

Team news: Bačka Topola

One thing going for Lazetić’s side in this UEL mismatch is that they have no injury concerns. They will come to London with the hope of defending deep and asking the Hammers to break them down, which isn’t the Londoners’ strength.

Bačka Topola is likely to keep faith in their five-man backline and defend with players behind the ball. Wingbacks Nemanja Petrovic and Jovan Vlalukin will have a lot of ground to cover, but they should be helped by midfielders Milan Radin and Sasa Jovanovic.

Bačka Topola predicted lineup (4-5-1)

Ilic; Antonic, Cvetinovic, Stojic; Vlalukin, Radin, Djakovic, Petrovic; Stanic; Jovanovic, Rakonjac

Will Edson Álvarez start for West Ham?

Despite just arriving this summer, the Mexican holding midfielder has already become a fan favourite with his tireless running and tackling. However, while he has recovered from his minor injury, he will not be able to start the game vs Bačka Topola due to suspension.

The 25-year-old is suspended in the UEL due to the red card he picked up against Union Berlin in his last European game for Ajax. The like of Tomás Soucek will have to fill in for him.

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