West Ham will look to put one foot in the Europa League final on Thursday night, as they host Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
The Hammers earned their spot in the last four with a 3-0 blitz of Lyon, securing a 4-1 aggregate win, in the previous round, although head into this tie having faltered a bit. David Moyes' side have now gone three Premier League outings without victory courtesy of a draw with Burnley and defeat to Chelsea since that massive night in France.
Another tough test awaits them against a Frankfurt side that has gone five Bundesliga games without a win but booked its place at this stage of the competition by knocking out Barcelona in the last round. Here's how Moyes could set his side up.
1. West Ham predicted lineup vs Eintracht Frankfurt (4-2-3-1)
GK: Alphonse Areola - Has been entrusted with the gloves since matchday two of this Europa League campaign and deserves to continue for as long as the club remains in the competition.
CB: Ben Johnson - Potentially forced into remaining with a makeshift back three, Moyes could continue with Johnson on the right after the youngster impressed at the weekend.
CB: Craig Dawson - Available for European duty after his domestic red card at Stamford Bridge last time out, Dawson once again looks like being Moyes' only available first-team regular centre back.
CB: Aaron Cresswell - Also impressing against the Blues, Cresswell and his colleagues showed that this makeshift back line isn't such a hindrance after all.
RWB: Vladimir Coufal - Should continue to fulfil a wing-back role given the shortages in defence.
CM: Declan Rice - Started on the bench at Chelsea but the world-class, talismanic skipper will return to the lineup for this gargantuan occasion. Could step back into defence to allow for a back four, although that would be a waste of his overall brilliance at such an important time.
CM: Tomas Soucek - Does this man need a rest? Don't think so; on course for a 19th consecutive start across all competitions.
LWB: Arthur Masuaku - Has played just one minute since the group stage but should continue in the likely event that Moyes sticks with the system he deployed last time out.
AM: Pablo Fornals - Having started each knockout game so far, the Spaniard should be in line to feature here - especially after a brace of assists in Lyon.
ST: Jarrod Bowen - Has been a truly heroic figure this season and will of course start this one, having scored in both legs of the previous round.
ST: Michail Antonio - Having also been rested at Stamford Bridge Antonio can expect to be reinstated for this one, looking for a first goal in 12 across all competitions.
Source: 90min
