Opinion: Potter to drop defender in four changes – Predicted West Ham XI vs. Everton
Graham Potter may adjust his West Ham lineup for Saturday's clash with Everton, with Ollie Scarles possibly missing out.
West Ham will head to Merseyside on March 15, where Everton will be eager to continue their strong run of form.
Graham Potter’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in their last outing, with a Bruno Guimaraes strike proving to be the difference.
Following that loss, the Hammers could make four changes to their starting lineup as they aim for their third win in four Premier League matches.
Possible West Ham lineup changes against Everton
Alphonse Areola is expected to retain his spot in goal. Despite a dip in form, he remains a more reliable option than Lukasz Fabianski.
Defensively, Potter may switch to a back four instead of the back five used in recent matches.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka should start at right-back following an excellent season, with Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman continuing as the centre-back pairing.
Meanwhile, Oliver Scarles could be replaced by Emerson at left-back.
In midfield, Edson Álvarez is likely to take on a holding role, while Carlos Soler and Lucas Paquetá could play just ahead of him.
This potential change would see Aaron Cresswell, James Ward-Prowse, and Tomáš Souček dropped to the bench.
On the right wing, captain Jarrod Bowen is expected to start. He has been West Ham’s standout performer this season and remains their most dangerous attacking threat.
Mohammed Kudus, who has struggled to match last season’s form, will likely feature on the left in the absence of Crysencio Summerville.
Leading the line could be Evan Ferguson. The Irish forward was brought in to address West Ham’s attacking struggles.
While he hasn’t been prolific, he still has time to establish himself as a key player for the club.
Why West Ham must beat Everton
West Ham currently sit 16 points clear of the relegation zone, ensuring their Premier League safety for this season.
However, if they hope to improve on their 2024/25 campaign and push for a top-half finish next term, they need to build momentum before pre-season.
It has been a challenging season for the Hammers, but there have been signs of progress.
Even so, performances must improve further if they want to be more competitive.
Potter has shown his ability as a manager when given time, and if his players give their all on Saturday, they stand a good chance of securing a victory over David Moyes’ Everton.
A win would see West Ham move three points ahead of their Merseyside opponents in the table and reinforce their determination to finish the season strongly.
