Following the Hammers’ 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, Moyes may choose to rest a couple of key players but will be conscious that a loss to Championship outlet Bristol City will be unacceptable.
The FA Cup tie could represent the perfect opportunity for some of the club’s youngsters to gain valuable experience against tough opposition, with Divin Mubama, Kaelan Casey, Levi Laing, Conor Coventry and Lewis Orford all making the bench against Brighton.
As West Ham’s “cup ‘keeper” this season, Lukasz Fabianski will be expected to deputise in between the sticks, last playing in a 3-0 victory over Wolves and keeping a clean sheet.
Ben Johnson could make his second consecutive start this season, keeping his place after filling in for the ill Vladamir Coufal against the Seagulls last time out.
Following the recent news of Thilo Kehrer’s departure, as per Fabrizio Romano, Kurt Zouma’s injury news, and Nayef Aguerd leaving for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, Moyes may be forced into using the same centre-back partnership of Angelo Ogbonna and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Emerson Palmieri is unlikely to shift from his left-back position, being one of West Ham’s best-performing players so far this season. The Brazilian’s leadership skills could be tested with a younger set of players ahead of him.
Giving James Ward-Prowse a well-earned rest, Edson Alvarez is likely to maintain his spot in the starting XI while 23-year-old Coventry could be handed his 11th start in a West Ham shirt since coming through the club’s academy.
This would suggest an advanced role for Tomas Soucek, who will be aiming to better his best goalscoring season of 10 goals in 2020/21. He currently sits on eight goals, with recent goals against Arsenal and TSC Backa Topola.
The left wing will most likely be battled over by Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals, and the latter could start instead of the Algerian.
Moyes is much likelier to play Benrahma in the Premier League, which could offer Fornals a place against the Robins.
It is difficult to see a West Ham side start without star player Jarrod Bowen but he could go back to his more conventional right-wing position.
Unless Moyes decided to deploy club outcast Danny Ings, Mubama could finally be given a proper opportunity to prove himself this season, leading the line with Bowen and Fornals in support.
There is no doubt that Moyes will respect the FA Cup as a prestigious tournament but other competitions will also be in the back of his mind, keeping one eye on upcoming showdowns in the Premier League.
In other West Ham United news, a Sky Sports reporter has encouraged the club to recruit an England international striker in January.
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