da aposte e ganhe： West Ham United return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
da betsson： The Irons picked up a 1-1 draw against the Red Devils in a Premier League fixture on Sunday with Diafra Sakho’s second-minute goal being cancelled out by a Zlatan Ibrahimovic header in the 21st minute.
Slaven Bilic’s side have endured a disappointing campaign so far and that draw at Old Trafford kept them one point above the relegation zone, with the club having taken 13 points from their opening 12 top flight fixtures.
With confidence seemingly low at the east London outfit, Bilic may see progression in the League Cup as a chance to boost morale in his squad as well as keeping them in with a chance of winning a major trophy – something that they haven’t done since they lifted the FA Cup in 1980.
The Hammers beat Chelsea 2-1 in the previous round and they will surely fancy their chances of defeating a below-par United side too.
Here is Football FanCast’s West Ham XI to beat Man United and reach the last four of the League Cup…
GK: Darren Randolph
The Republic of Ireland international replaced the dropped Adrian in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and he is likely to keep his place when the Hammers return to the famous stadium on Wednesday after thwarting the hosts on a number of occasions.
Randolph had played in the previous round of the EFL Cup against Chelsea, but following Adrian’s error against Stoke, he was brought into the starting line-up in the Premier League too.
RWB: Michail Antonio
Antonio was featuring at right-back for the Hammers earlier in the campaign, but with Slaven Bilic choosing to revert to three centre-backs in recent weeks, the England international has taken on the role of wing-back instead.
While some supporters may still need to be convinced by his defensive abilities, the 26-year-old is a threat going forward – especially in the air – and the Irons’ top goalscorer in all competitions this term with six goals.
CB: Winston Reid
As mentioned previously, since Bilic has chosen to go with three centre-backs, Reid has had two defensive partners to share responsibilities with.
The New Zealand international actually missed the 1-1 with United at Old Trafford on Sunday through suspension. But rated as one of the club’s top centre-halves, he should come back into the starting XI in the place of James Collins on Wednesday, especially bearing in mind the aerial threat Zlatan Ibrahimovic offers the Red Devils.
CB: Angelo Ogbonna
Angelo Ogbonna has impressed at the heart of the Irons defence since arriving in summer 2015, bringing the pedigree you’d expect of a former Juventus defender alongside physically imposing speed and power.
The 28-year-old has provided composure and formed a good partnership with Reid and Cheikhou Kouyate in recent weeks, and the three-pronged defensive unit that should continue against the Red Devils for what is a big game for the club and manager Bilic.
CB: Cheikhou Kouyate
Kouyate has played in a number of positions for the club since joining them from Anderlecht in 2014, and his versatility means he’s as good at centre-back as he has proven to be in central or defensive midfield for the Irons.
The Senegal international brings aggression and strength to the back line and that could be vital in a match where the side will likely come up against powerful individuals such as Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba.
LWB: Aaron Cresswell
Probably one of the most underrated footballers in the Premier League, Cresswell has shown time and time again that he is one of the best left-sided players in the English top flight.
The England international is probably more suited to the left wing-back role than his previous left-back slot – when the Irons were playing four in defence – as it allows him to get forward more and provide a real threat in the final third, or when the team are counter attacking.
CM: Pedro Obiang
The 24-year-old central midfielder wasn’t really a regular fixture in the Hammers team at the start of this season but has really cemented his place in the starting XI in recent weeks and was even named as the club’s player of the month for October.
The Spaniard protects his defence which allows the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini a chance to roam free in front of him, and has made countless vital interceptions in the centre of the park this term.
CM: Mark Noble
West Ham’s captain fantastic. If he is fit, then he starts and more than anyone in the current Irons side, he will want to win and lift a major trophy.
Like Obiang, Noble helps to provide a real solid base in the centre of the pitch where he keeps possession so well. But he also has the ability to unlock defences too and has made 10 key passes in 12 appearances in the Premier League this season.
RAM: Manuel Lanzini
West Ham have struggled for goals this season – especially amid the absence of their strikers such as Andre Ayew, Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll because of injury, and with Simone Zaza struggling to adapt to the English game.
That means after Antonio, Lanzini is the club’s top goalscorer this term with three goals in all competitions. Bilic will be looking to the attacking midfielder to provide some creativity and a goal threat to help the club reach the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.
LAM: Dimitri Payet
Because of the impact and influence that he has on this Hammers side, Payet must start every match he is fit, including in the cup.
If this tie against Manchester United is relatively tight like it was in the Premier League on Sunday, then having someone like the Frenchman – who can provide a moment of magic out of nothing – could be crucial to the Irons’ hopes of reaching the last four of the competition.
ST: Andre Ayew
After scoring just two minutes in against United in the league on Sunday, Diafra Sakho would have been the favourite to start again at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
However, the Senegal international was substituted because of injury in the second half and he is set to miss this tie.
With few options available to Bilic in the striking position, he is likely to opt to go with Ayew, who is still looking to make a significant impact in the side following his summer move from Swansea.