Lopetegui makes one major change to save his job – Predicted West Ham XI vs Newcastle United | OneFootball

West Ham United will return to Premier League action on Monday as they go head-to-head with Newcastle United in an away game.

The Hammers are low on confidence after a dreadful start to the season under manager Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham are currently just five points above the relegation zone after winning three of their 11 Premier League matches.

Lopetegui must inspire his team to a good result against Newcastle if he hopes to remain in the job. But that will be easier said than done, with the Magpies currently enjoying a three-game winning run in all competitions.

Predicted West Ham XI vs Newcastle United

Lukasz Fabianski helped his team keep a clean sheet against Everton. It wasn’t a flawless performance from the 39-year-old, but he did enough to earn another start between the sticks.

No changes are expected in the backline, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean Clair-Todibo, Max Kilman and Emerson in line to feature again.

However, Lopetegui will likely drop Guido Rodriguez in midfield after his underwhelming display against the Toffees. The Argentine had won just a single duel, and he lost possession on seven occasions.

Edson Alvarez will return from suspension, and he will likely go straight back in the team, joining Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta in the central roles. Paqueta has been far from his best this campaign, but the Spanish boss continues to pick him in his team.

In the absence of Mohammed Kudus, Crysencio Summerville should start on the left-hand side of the attack, with Jarrod Bowen playing on the opposite flank.

Michail Antonio tries hard to make things happen, but he is no longer the player he once was. Despite his underwhelming displays, the Jamaican is likely to keep his first-team berth due to the lack of quality alternative options.

West Ham Predicted XI: Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Soucek, Summerville; Antonio

Stats from Sofascore