West Ham play Freiburg in Germany in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night and David Moyes is going very strong indeed.
When you get to this stage of European competition there are no second chances.
West Ham and David Moyes are well aware of that having spent the last three seasons competing in Europe.
Moyes could – to a degree – get away with fielding weakened teams in the Europa Conference League last season.
Even in the early knockout stages the manager could rotate his side.
Rotate at your own risk in Europa League
But the Europa League is a very definite step up. And although West Ham have already beaten Freiburg home and away in the group stages, the knockouts are a different animal entirely.
As a result it does not take a genius to work out the boss will go strong for the last 16 first leg.
I predict Moyes makes one West Ham change for Freiburg but ponders a late second.
Despite his irresistible form, Alphonse Areola will make way for the experienced Lukasz Fabianski in goal in the only change.
That’s because he is actually more likely to make changes to the side for the games against Premier League whipping boys Burnley at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Moyes could make changes vs Burnley instead
So whereas in the past the likes of Kurt Zouma would be rested in midweek, expect him and the rest of the side to play with four or five changes at the weekend instead.
Having said that I believe the manager could well make a second late call on Edson Alvarez.
There is some concern that the Mexican is tight after his exertions against Everton.
The player himself even admitted to feeling his hamstring as he made a late surge to score the killer goal and make it 3-1 at the death.
Possible Phillips Euro debut for Hammers amid Alvarez caution
Therefore Moyes could air on the side of caution and rest Alvarez.
That would see him hand a West Ham European debut to Kalvin Phillips in change number two.
If correct then expect to see a host of changes for the Burnley clash with the likes of Ben Johnson, Nayef Aguerd or Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Phillips and Michail Antonio coming in from the start.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Freiburg in the Europa League last 16 first leg:
Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Mavropanos, Emerson, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez/Phillips, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen.