Edson Alvarez returns, no Callum Wilson: West Ham predicted XI v Bournemouth
West Ham United could hand a key player their first minutes of pre-season as they complete their USA tour with a friendly against Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
The Hammers have already played Manchester United and Everton out in the states as part of the Premier League’s Summer Series.
Victory over Bournemouth could hand West Ham the Summer Series title after a narrow defeat to United was followed up with victory over Everton.
The match will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atalanta which hosted matches in the Club World Cup earlier this summer and is set to host games in the World Cup next year.
West Ham predicted XI for USA clash v Bournemouth
Edson Alvarez has not featured in pre-season so far for West Ham after an extended break was given to the midfielder following his CONCACAF exploits with Mexico.
This game though will come too early for striker Callum Wilson, who joined the Hammers after leaving Newcastle as a free agent.
New signings Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf could be handed more minutes and step up their claims to be in the first starting line-up of the league season.
Alphonse Areola was taken out of the firing line against Everton following his error against Man United, and the Frenchman may come back in for number two Wes Foderingham.
Key players Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen did not start against Everton and also could return here.
Wilson not ready to face former club
Football Insider Verdict
The experienced Wilson should bring goals to West Ham if the 33-year-old is able to stay injury free.
Wilson experienced multiple injury problems at Newcastle which limited his impact on Tyneside.
The signing is therefore a risk to West Ham and adds to their ageing squad which needs younger bodies brought into it.
Potter though needs another player who can take the weight off Bowen up-front, with Niclas Fullkrug seen as an impact substitute at the London Stadium.
| Apperances | 239 |
| Goals | 88 |
| Assists | 23 |
West Ham still have two friendlies on home soil before they travel to Sunderland on the opening day of the campaign to be able to give Wilson much-needed match action.
Giving Alvarez minutes against Bournemouth will also strengthen Potters’ defensive options, but the 27-year-old needs to improve on his displays from last season.
There is now competition at right-back between Walker-Peters and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and it remains to be seen who will get the nod against Sunderland.