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Nuno Espirito Santo looks set to make at least six changes to his West Ham side for the FA Cup clash with Brentford on Monday night.
The Hammers will learn their potential quarter-final opponents before the FA Cup London derby with the Bees at the London Stadium.
But Nuno Espirito Santo and Keith Andrews will have already named their teams by the time the draw is made pre-match, meaning it will have no bearing on selection.
With survival – and a daunting Premier League clash with Man City looming at the weekend – the priority for West Ham is clear.
Nuno rings changes for FA Cup clash with survival the priority
So it should be no real surprise that Nuno looks set to ring the changes against Brentford with at least six in the offing.
And there is a huge boost for the Hammers boss with the return of striker Pablo to the squad after several weeks out with an injury.
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Whether the Brazilian is fit enough to start remains to be seen – but it seems he is most likely to return to the bench.
West Ham’s resurgence of late has been thanks in no small part to the insatiable work rate of Pablo and Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos.
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The duo have helped transform the Hammers into a competent team which not only functions better in attack but defends from the front.
While Pablo is incredibly raw on the ball, his hold-up play and pressing have been excellent.
So his return is a major boost.
Taty’s own work rate may see him rested as his effectiveness of late has waned.
Pablo back on the bench as Nuno makes six West Ham changes for Brentford?
Change number one will see Alphonse Areola deputise for Mads Hermansen, who cemented his position as West Ham’s number one with a man of the match performance in the crucial win at Fulham last time out.
There will be three changes at the back with either Max Kilman or Konstantinos Mavropanos coming in for Jean-Clair Todibo as Axel Disasi gets his wish to start every game he is available for, as per the gentleman’s agreement in his loan from Chelsea.
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Meanwhile Kyle Walker-Peters and Ollie Scarles look set to deputise for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Tomas Soucek will keep his place in midfield to deal with Brentford’s aerial threat.
Mateus Fernandes gets a well-earned rest with Soungoutou Magassa coming into the starting XI as change number five.
Nuno will resist the urge to rest Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen despite what’s at stake in the Premier League.
He is considering pushing Bowen up front to take the place of Taty and Adama Traore will start on the right in change six.
That means Callum Wilson keeps his place up front after signing a new one-year contract extension this week.
Should the Hammers beat the Bees then they will be just one win away from a Wembley appearance.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Brentford:
Areola, Walker-Peters, Disasi, Mavropanos or Kilman, Scarles, Magassa, Soucek, Summerville, Traore, Bowen, Wilson.
West Ham vs Brentford kicks off at 7.30pm and is live on TNT Sports.
Official teams will be announced at 6.15pm.
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