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West Ham will confront Gent in the Europa Conference League today, aiming to qualify for the European semi-finals for the second consecutive season.
West Ham has had an unbeaten run in their last three games across all competitions. They made a commendable comeback and managed to secure a draw against Arsenal in their previous match.
This accomplishment has propelled the club four points above the relegation zone. However, their focus is now on a competition that could give them their first major trophy since the FA Cup win in 1980.
David Moyes is likely to make several changes to the line-up during this game to give the players some rest for another crucial match against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Here is the West Ham anticipated initial XI that could compete against the Belgians at the London Stadium, with up to five changes expected from the last weekend.
How West Ham could play against Gent
4-3-3 – Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson; Rice, Downes, Paqueta; Bowen, Said Benrahma, Ings.
Areola will play in the starting role in the absence of the first-choice keeper, Lukasz Fabianski, as he has played in every game of the competition so far.
Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, and Emerson will be the back four. The first two defenders will retain their positions as they exhibited an excellent partnership during the last encounter against the Gunners.
Ogbonna will replace Thilo Kehrer since he made two blocks, interceptions, and tackles and four clearances in the first leg of the tie. Furthermore, Emerson will replace Cresswell, who lacks the speed to control Gift Orban, who has scored 14 times in as many games this season.
Steadfast club captain Rice will retain his starting role, while Downes will replace Tomas Soucek as the box-to-box midfielder. West Ham will require Downes’ nimbleness and forward-thinking to boost their chances of progression.
Paqueta, who initiated the comeback in Sunday’s London derby by earning a penalty, will be the other midfielder.
Finally, wingers Bowen and Benrahma will occupy the wing positions. In the frontline, Ings replaces Michail Antonio as the focal point of the team. The former Liverpool player netted in the first leg, whereas the Jamaican struggled this season, scoring only three goals in 27 Premier League appearances.
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