4 ways West Ham can line-up in the upcoming Premier League season

#4: 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1

This system allows the full-backs to venture forward as the midfield four are higher up the pitch leaving space for the full-backs to exploit

4-1-4-1 or sometimes referred to as 4-5-1 was the most common tactic used by Pellegrini during his time at Hebei Fortune with Javier Mascherano playing just in front of the defensive line to provide backup.

This system allows the full-backs to venture forward as the midfield four are higher up the pitch leaving space for the full-backs to exploit.

On the defensive side, the full-backs are expected to be very good at one vs one and two vs one situations as the presence of only a single defensive midfielder can cause space on either of the side if the full-back does not return to his position.

When attacking the wingers can exploit the spaces up front effectively making a 4-3-3 while defensively the wingers must be good to exploit any kind of possible counter attacks.

Arnautovic is expected to start up front with club captain Noble and Wilshere in the central roles. Yarmolenko and Anderson are expected to provide the width in the side with Cheikhou Kouyate screening the back 4. Diop and Ogbonna are expected to be the centre-back pairing with Fredericks and Masuaku or Cresswell in either side and Fabianski in goal.

A fit Lanzini will be preferred over Noble.