West Ham United did extremely well to stop a rampaging Everton side with a squad that is reduced to their bones with injuries at the moment. They are currently sitting in the 14th position with 38 points, seven points above the relegation zone. And given the remaining games that the Hammers are to play that include Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, it will definitely not be an easy task for Slaven Bilic.
Anyway, one game at a time and Bilic takes his men to the Bet365 stadium next as they face a stubborn Stoke City side. And if recent results are taken into consideration then the Hammers really don’t have any possibilities against the Potters in their backyard.
West Ham have won only once in their last seven away games to Stoke City in all competitions and against Mark Hughes, West Ham are yet to win a single league game till now. And in general, the Hammers have failed to win in their last five away fixtures.
Strongest West Ham United Line-up vs Stoke City
Defence
The position under the bar is expected to be taken by Adrian. Bilic has experimented heavily in that position shuffling the Spaniard and Randolph, from time to time with none providing the desired precautions. The goalkeeper will be the number one priority for West Ham next summer.
The London side had to opt for a back three set-up in the absence of most of their defenders and it seems to have worked just fine. The three centre-halves are expected to be Jose Fonte, James Collins and Winston Reid. The absence of any natural right-back with Alvaro Arbeloa injured and Sam Byram doubtful has led Bilic to play yet another player out of position.
While left-back Arthur Masuaku is doing quite well in the left wing-back’s role, which has brought him up the pecking order ahead of Aaron Cresswell, the right-back’s role is now taken by attacking midfielder Edmilson Fernandes.
Midfielder
The central midfielders are likely to feature Havard Nordtveit, Manuel Lanzini and Cheikhou Kouyate. Kouyate has been quite instrumental in the defensive midfield which has forced Bilic to play the midfielder back into his natural role. The Senegal international has been mostly playing in the right-back’s role this season.
Kouyate and Nordtveit will be given defensive roles while Lanzini will play as the number 10.
Attack
With both Michail Antonio and Andrew Carroll out of the side owing to injuries, Bilic has little options than to play Jonathan Calleri and Andre Ayew.
