Team news: Hammers unchanged for Watford contest

Celebration

 

Manager Manuel Pellegrini has kept faith with the same West Ham United starting XI and substitutes for this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Watford.

The Irons are searching for five consecutive victories for the first time since February 2006 against the Hornets, after Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio fired the Hammers to a 2-0 win against Fulham last time out.

And Pellegrini has given the same 18 players the task of securing three points in today’s match at London Stadium.

Lukasz Fabianski starts the game in goal for Pellegrini's side, while the Chilean once again names the same back four for the Hammers in Pablo Zabaleta, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena and Arthur Masuaku. 

Captain Mark Noble, making his 448th West Ham appearance, partners Declan Rice in midfield once again. The 19-year-old is playing in his 50th game in the Claret and Blue.

Robert Snodgrass is on the right flank after having a hand in five Premier League goals in the last four matches. Felipe Anderson is on the opposite flank.

Michail Antonio is retained up top after his finish at Fulham last week. The No30 is joined in the attacking line-up by Chicharito, who will be looking to add to his four goals and two assists so far in the top flight this campaign. 

No changes to the side means Xande Silva is once again in the senior squad. The Portuguese youngster was on the bench for the first-time last weekend, and has scored seven goals in six Premier League 2 matches this season.

Adrian, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell are on the bench, with the defensive trio joined by Pedro Obiang and Grady Diangana. 

Andy Carroll is also among the substitutes, having come off the bench in the last three matches.

West Ham United: Fabianski; Zabaleta, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku; Snodgrass, Noble (c), Rice, F. Anderson; Antonio, Chicharito

Substitutes: Adrian, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang, Diangana, Carroll, Xande Silva

Watford: Foster; Femenia, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas; Capoue, Doucoure, Sema, Pereyra, Deulofeu; Deeney

Substitutes: Gomes, Mariappa, Cleverley, Success, Masina, Quina, Okaka