Premier League
Aug 21, 2016 4.00pm
1
0
HT : 0 0
FT
  • Sam Byram 38' yellowcard
  • Winston Reid 45' yellowcard
  • Michail Antonio 85' goal
  • Pedro Obiang 90' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Harry Arter 33'
  • yellowcard Steve Cook 37'
  • redcard Harry Arter 77'

Team News: Enner Valencia leads the line for West Ham United

Enner Valencia leads the line for West Ham

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has named Enner Valencia as his lone striker for the visit of Bournemouth at the Olympic Stadium.

The Ecuador international is without a goal in 17 games stretching back to January, but has been asked to fill in due to the absence of Andy Carroll.

Leading marksman Carroll was ruled out on the eve of the game with a knee injury, which is likely to keep him out of action for the next six weeks.

With loanee Jonathan Calleri, a starter in midweek against Romanian side Astra Giurgiu, only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench, Bilic has opted to give low-on-confidence Valencia another chance.

Adrian is restored between the sticks for West Ham's first league match at their new home, meanwhile, taking the place of Darren Randolph who is being used for European and domestic cup fixtures.

In terms of the visitors, boss Eddie Howe has made just the one change to his side following last weekend's opening-game defeat to Manchester United - Ryan Fraser coming in for Lewis Cook in midfield.

Bournemouth won this corresponding fixture 4-3 last season - their first victory since being promoted to the Premier League - but they have lost all six of their top-flight fixtures contested on a Sunday.

West Ham United: Adrian, Byram, Reid, Collins, Masuaku, Nordtveit, Noble, Kouyate, Tore, Antonio, Valencia Subs: Randolph, Ogbonna, Burke, Oxford, Obiang, Fletcher, Calleri

Bournemouth: Boruc, Francis, Cook, A.Smith, Daniels, Surman, Arter, Fraser, Ibe, King, Wilson Subs: Federici, B.Smith, Ake, Gosling, Gradel, Afobe, Grabban

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in East London with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

Author photo

Written by

Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe