West Ham United vs. Watford – preview and prediction – team news, and lineups
Match preview
Kidderminster Harriers did the non-league landscape proud by pushing West Ham all the way at Aggborough, even going into half-time 1-0 up thanks to Alex Penny’s goal.
In the second half, though, David Moyes summoned the cavalry, and it just paid off as Declan Rice scored a striker’s finish to equalize the scores and force extra time in the dying embers before Jarrod Bowen’s contentious winner in the 121st minute.
Although West Ham had the ball in the pot for the next round, Moyes and the travelling party would have been disappointed with what they saw for the bulk of the game, as a number of second-string players failed to reward their manager’s faith in them.
The Hammers’ win at Kidderminster ended a two-game losing streak, but their Champions League fate is now out of their hands as they sit fifth in the Premier League table, one point behind Manchester United despite having played one more game.
Team News
Following his late return from international duty, West Ham will hope to welcome Michail Antonio back into the starting lineup, but Angelo Ogbonna is still recovering from knee surgery.
Lukasz Fabianski, the first-choice goalkeeper, did not involved against Kidderminster a few weeks after reporting a positive COVID-19 test, but he should be good to replace Alphonse Areola in goal here.
Issa Diop, Alex Kral, and Andriy Yarmolenko are among the players who will be sent to the bench by Moyes, who will also welcome back Craig Dawson, Tomas Soucek, and Pablo Fornals.
In the case of Watford, Emmanuel Dennis will return from suspension in time to lead the line, with one of Joao Pedro or Ken Sema poised to make way.
Peter Etebo has a slim chance of making the squad after recovering from a thigh injury, but Kwadwo Baah and Nicolas Nkoulou remain in the treatment room.
After a strong start in the dugout, Hodgson is unlikely to make any changes to his starting lineup, but Tom Cleverley and ex-Hammer Jeremy Ngakia might give fresh legs if needed.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio
Watford possible starting lineup:
Foster; Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Kucka, Kayembe, Sissoko; King, Dennis, Sema
Our Predictions: Home to Win
Watford’s surprising triumph is a possibility, but West Ham will almost definitely resort to their strongest XI after the fringe players were nearly embarrassed by Kidderminster.
At Vicarage Road, Hodgson has already placed a greater emphasis on defensive solidity, but Moyes’ team should restart their European challenge with a win today.
