It has been less than a month since Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Graham Potter as West Ham United manager, but he will be keen to finally get it done later today.
The Hammers are set for a crucial derby against Brentford and are desperate to end an embarrassing run of four games without a win (D1, L3).
Nuno has managed to pick up a point in his first two games at West Ham after facing Everton and early season leaders Arsenal.
However, he will be eager to make a statement in his first home game as West Ham manager, and the visit of Brentford could be the perfect opportunity to change the script.
The Hammers are still seeking their second Premier League win since thrashing Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground at the end of August.
How West Ham could line up
Despite coming into the international break on the wrong foot, Nuno will likely make just one change from the team that lost 2-0 to Arsenal.
That means Monday’s visitors can expect a familiar backline with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman and El Hadji Malick Diouf lining up ahead of Alphonse Areola.
Nuno will be able to call on Tomas Soucek again after the Czech international midfielder served a three-match ban for receiving a straight red card against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, he has been out of the game for over a month so could start on the bench, giving Nuno the chance to stay with his midfield pairing of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa.
The Hammers have lacked flair and dynamism in the middle of the park, but Fernandes and Magassa have the ability to run the show.
Lucas Paqueta has been a standout player for West Ham and should retain his place in the No. 10, while captain Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville line up on the flanks.
The only change to the starting line-up will come at the top of the pitch, with Callum Wilson set to replace the injured Niclas Fullkrug.
West Ham’s predicted starting XI
(4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Fernández, Magassa; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Wilson.
