West Ham predicted XI vs. Everton: David Moyes makes key decision over returning £45m man

After a nine-game streak without a win in all competitions, West Ham finally picked up their first victory of 2024 against London rivals Brentford. The Irons produced a top class attacking performance on Monday night with hat-trick hero Jarrod Bowen returning to his scintillating best to make it 14 Premier League goals for the season.

The Hammers have high hopes of qualifying for Europe once again this season and their next test sees them go head-to-head with David Moyes’ former club Everton. 

The Toffees have had cause for celebration in recent days as their 10 point deduction was reduced down to six on appeal. They are likely to provide difficult opposition for Moyes, who has only won once against Everton at Goodison Park since leaving the club nearly 11 years ago.

West Ham will need to be at their best if they are to climb back into the European places and Moyes faces a number of key selection decisions against his Merseyside counterparts, who have lost just one Premier League match since the start of 2024.

West Ham team news

West Ham boss David Moyes is blessed with a fully fit squad as his team make the trip up to Merseyside. January signing Kalvin Phillips; the only absentee from Monday’s victory, returns to the squad after serving a one-game ban for his sending off against Nottingham Forest.

Lucas Paqueta will hope to keep his place in the team after a strong performance against Brentford, although Moyes has to decide whether it is worth risking the Brazilian international for the second time in a week after returning for the first time since his calf injury in December.

Midfielder Edson Alvarez is also one yellow card away from reaching 10 for the season and incurring a two-match ban. West Ham face Freiburg in the Europa League round-of-16 on Thursday and it will be interesting to see if Moyes makes any changes to the team with that trip to Germany in mind.

West Ham predicted starting XI:

Areola, Coufal, Mavrapanos, Zouma, Emerson, Soucek, Alvarez, Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Bowen

Everton team news

Everton manager Sean Dyche will make late calls over the fitness of Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana. Both sustained groin injuries against Brighton are likely to need late fitness tests. Andre Gomes has returned to training, although Lewis Dobbin and Arnaut Danjuma remain on the sidelines with injury.

Everton predicted starting XI:

Pickford, Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Harrison, Garner, Onana, McNeil, Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin.