Łukasz Fabiański starts in goal. The Pole makes his ninth appearance in this season’s competition, having kept four clean sheets for the Hammers.
Cresswell, as mentioned, is back in the defensive line and plays alongside fellow returnee Zouma, while Nayef Agued and Vladimír Coufal – on his 150th appearance for the Club – complete the defensive ranks.
Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse will be joined in midfield by the aforementioned Souček, who has been West Ham’s most-featured player so far this season, with tonight marking his 47th appearance of the season. He will be looking to build on his nine goals scored in all competitions this campaign, two of which have come in the Europa League.
The front three will consist of Mohammed Kudus, Michail Antonio and leading scorer Bowen, who is also our highest-ever European goalscorer.
West Ham boast a wealth of young talent on the substitutes bench, with the likes of Jacob Knightbridge, Lewis Orford, Kaelan Casey, Kamarai Swyer and Divin Mubama all hoping to earn valuable senior minutes.
West Ham United: Fabiański, Coufal, Zouma ©, Aguerd, Cresswell, Álvarez, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio
Subs: Anang (GK), Knightbridge (GK), Ogbonna, Ings, Johnson, Cornet, Mubama, Orford, Casey, Swyer
Bayer Leverkusen: Kovář, Stanišić, Tah ©, Kossounou, Hincapié, Palacios, Xhaka, Tella, Wirtz, Grimaldo, Schick
Subs: Hradecky (GK), Lomb (GK), Hofmann, Andrich, Tapsoba, Arthur, Adli, Boniface, Frimpong, Puerta, Izekor
Referee: José Maria Sánchez (Spain)
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
