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West Ham United head into Thursday evening’s Europa Conference League meeting with FCSB safe in the knowledge that they have already sealed top spot in Group B, affording David Moyes the chance to field a rotated squad ahead of the Hammers’ meeting with Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend.

Indeed, the 59-year-old has left the likes of Declan Rice, Kurt Zouma, Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Said Benrahma, Aaron Cresswell, Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio at home for the trip to Romania, while a number of the club’s most promising youngsters are reported to have been taken along for the fixture at the Arena Națională this evening.

So, how many changes will the Scot make to the side that lined up in the 1-0 defeat against Manchester United last time out?

Here’s how we at Football FanCast think the Irons side could look, as well as the latest team and injury news…

With Moyes suggesting in his pre-match press conference that summer signing Nayef Aguerd could be handed a start as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, while Maxwel Cornet, Lucas Paqueta and Lukasz Fabianski are all reported to miss out due to knocks, we predict the 59-year-old will make ten changes to the side that started at Old Trafford last weekend.

There are five fresh faces at the back, with European goalkeeper Alphonse Areola making it six starts from six in the competition, while Harrison Ashby, Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and 17-year-old debutant Regan Clayton come in at right, centre and left-back respectively.

In the middle of the park, “exciting talent” – in the words of Roshane Thomas – Conor Coventry partners 19-year-old Freddie Potts, while Flynn Downes starts in attacking midfield, with Manuel Lanzini and second debutant of the night, Kamarai Swyer, starting on the left and right flank.

There is a third senior debut awarded at centre-forward, with 18-year-old striker – who Manu Heredia dubbed a “pearl” – Divin Mubama being handed his first outing for the Hammers first-team after scoring an eye-catching 28 goals in the club’s youth set-up.

Manchester United have reportedly identified a left-field option to help strengthen their centre-back ranks this summer, amid reports that Erik ten Hag is showing an interest in Everton youngster, Jarrad Branthwaite.

How much would Jarrad Branthwaite cost?

According to journalist Simon Jones – writing in his Transfer Confidential for the Daily Mail – the 21-year-old is a 'surprise name' that has been mentioned by those at Old Trafford, with the England youth international having 'impressed scouts' during his spell on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season.

That stint in the Netherlands saw the Carlisle native – who has two years left to run on his existing deal with the Toffees – link up with United legend, Ruud van Nistelrooy, albeit with the 6 foot 5 starlet having since made his return to Goodison Park.

Read the latest Manchester United transfer news HERE…

If the Red Devils are to prise him from the Merseyside outfit then it has previously been suggested that a fee of around £20m could be required, albeit with alternative reports indicating that the one-time Blackburn Rovers loanee could fetch as little as £5m-£6m.

How good is Jarrad Branthwaite?

The Toffees sensation has clearly been on the radar of Ten Hag and co in recent times with reports last year indicating that the Premier League giants were targeting a move for the then-teenager, ahead of their first window with the Dutchman at the helm.

That interest is likely to have only been heightened by the towering rock's form while at PSV last season, with the Eredivisie clearly a league that Ten Hag continues to keep a close eye on, with the former Ajax boss having recruited the likes of Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia from his homeland during his United tenure to date.

The hope will be that Branthwaite can emerge as a dream heir to that man Martinez as a natural fit in a left-sided centre-back berth, with the Carabao Cup winners having been forced to deploy Luke Shaw in that role at times last season due to the lack of adequate cover.

While physically somewhat different to the 5 foot 9 Argentine, the Everton ace does appear to share the 25-year-old's quality on the ball, with former Carlisle boss Steven Pressley having previously stated:

"The truth is, I think he has got everything. He can pass the ball almost equally as good with both feet. He’s a terrific footballer."

Also dubbed "complete" by Van Nistelrooy, Branthwaite's ability to play out from the back is shown by the fact that he has averaged 3.61 progressive passes per 90 across the last 365 days, with that a similar record to what Martinez has achieved in that time (3.96 per 90).

That is significant as the latter man has been lauded for his ball-playing prowess during his time at the Theatre of Dreams, having been described as "so clean and composed" by ex-United man, Patrice Evra.

Defensively, Martinez has also been an "absolute monster" – according to teammate Luke Shaw – having averaged an impressive 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League in 2022/23, with young Branthwaite only just behind after averaging 2.3 in that regard in Holland.

With the World Cup winner having arguably been a "huge miss" after he was ruled out of the final stretch of the season through injury, as per Paul Scholes, it would make sense to bring in a suitable understudy, like Branthwaite, who can help to plug the gap, while also proving a dream successor in the long run at the heart of the defence.

كشف مصدر الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة اليد عن موقف قوائم الفرق المشاركة ببطولة كأس الكؤوس الإفريقية وبطولة كأس السوبر، واللتان تنطلقا خلال شهر أبريل المقبل.

ومن المقرر أن تقام بطولة كأس الكؤوس الإفريقية خلال الفترة من 18 إلى 27 أبريل، بمدينة وهران الجزائرية.

كما يلعب الأهلي في بطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي لكرة اليد يومي 14 و15 أبريل المقبل بمشاركة الزمالك وجي اس كي من الكونجو.

طالع | الترجي يرد عبر بطولات على أنباء رحيل لاعب اليد حازم باشا إلى الأهلي

وقال المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ”بطولات”: “جميع الفرق المشاركة في بطولتي كأس الكؤوس الإفريقية والسوبر الإفريقي قدمت قوائم فرقها المشاركة في البطولتين والتي ضمت 27 اسما لكل فريق”.

وأكمل: “لا يسمح بدخول أي لاعب آخر خارج القائمة المرسلة سابقاً ويتم اختيار القائمة النهائية فقط من القائمة الأولية التي أرسلت في وقت سابق”. مجموعات كأس الكؤوس الإفريقية لكرة اليد

المجموعة الأولى: الأهلي، شبيبة سكيكدة الجزائري، وفاق عين توتة الجزائري.

المجموعة الثانية: ريد ستار الإيفواري، كايمان الكونغولي، أولمبيك عنابة الجزائري.

المجموعة الثالثة: الشرطة الرواندي، الأبيار الجزائري، الجيش الوطني الرواندي.

المجموعة الرابعة: الزمالك، الترجي التونسي، وبي إم سي الكونجولي.

Journalist Chris Lepkowski wasn’t impressed with West Brom defender Conor Townsend in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United. 

The Lowdown: Another defeat

The Baggies failed to get a new manager bounce under Carlos Corberan, falling to a seventh Championship defeat of the season.

Early goals in the first half from Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie settled the game at The Hawthorns, with Corberan going with a 3-4-2-1 system.

Townsend turned out at left-wing back and was the club’s worst-rated outfield performer, as per SofaScore, ending with a match rating of 6.1/10, losing possession a whopping 25 times.

The Latest: Lepkowski’s post

Lepkowski took to Twitter during the game to share his thoughts on Townsend’s display. He said that the full-back struggled against the Blades, adding that he was ‘defensively shaken and offering little going forward’.

The Verdict: Hard to argue

Along with losing the ball on 25 occasions, Townsend also lost 100% of his ground duels and was unsuccessful with all five of his attempted long balls. [SofaScore]

The 29-year-old failed to make a tackle or an interception, so it’s easy to see why he received a poor match rating and came in for criticism from Lepkowski.

Townsend wasn’t the only West Brom player to struggle, though, and Corberan will now know the size of the job at hand if he didn’t realise before taking the job.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is thought to be eyeing a move for Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze.

The Lowdown: Chukwueze profiled

Chukwueze is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or in an attacking midfield role.

The 23-year-old has been hailed as a ‘ridiculous’ player who ‘tortures’ defenders by ESPN journalist David Cartlidge, and he knows Emery well.

He lined out on 94 occasions under the 51-year-old, contributing to 29 goals, and it looks as if a move for the Nigeria international could be on the cards for Villa.

The Latest: Villa linked with Chukwueze

Sport Witness relayed an update from a Spanish source regarding Chukwueze and Villa on Monday. They claimed that ‘Emery calls Chukwueze to be Aston Villa’s top winter signing’, with Arsenal, Everton and West Ham also name-checked with an interest.

The report adds that any prospective suitor would need to pay around €50m (£43.5m) for the forward, which would make him Villa’s most expensive signing of all time if they land him for that amount.

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The Verdict: Take your pick…

Chukwueze isn’t the first Villarreal attacker who has been linked with a move to the Midlands. Speculation over swoops for Yeremy Pino and Nicolas Jackson has already begun, although you’d expect that Villa’s the chances of signing all three are slim.

Therefore, the club may look to target one of that trio during the January transfer window, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens in the New Year as Emery is set to be backed with a ‘huge’ budget by NSWE.

Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell facing a long spell on the sidelines is a ‘massive blow’ for him and the club, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Chilwell out of World Cup

The Premier League giants secured a 2-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb to round off their Champions League group campaign at the start of this month, but their spirits were dampened when the 25-year-old was forced off the pitch after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Chilwell will now miss the World Cup and has been omitted from England’s 26-man squad by Gareth Southgate as a result, in what will be hugely disappointing news for the left-back.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke was gutted to learn of Chilwell’s injury and suggested that it couldn’t have happened at a worse time for the 25-year-old.

He said: “It’s a big blow for Graham Potter and also a massive blow for Ben Chilwell, missing out on the World Cup with England. He’s been so unlucky with injuries recently.

“He’s recently come back from a serious knee injury and now to get this hamstring injury as well will come as a huge blow. Potter wants to have his best players fit and available right now, especially with Chelsea’s current form, which has seen them fail to win any of their last four Premier League matches.”

The Verdict: Better than Cucurella

Marc Cucurella arrived at Stamford Bridge over the summer and was later reunited with his former Brighton boss Potter, but he has not had the same level of impact as Chilwell at Chelsea.

The Englishman had two assists and one goal to his name in nine league appearances this season prior to his injury and offered a threat in the air, winning 1.3 headers per 90 minutes.

Chelsea will be hoping that Chilwell’s absence doesn’t go on for too long, but at least the upcoming break for the World Cup will provide him with the ideal opportunity to take a big step closer to fitness by the time club action resumes on Boxing Day.

Aston Villa’s owners NSWE will provide new manager Unai Emery with the funds to make new signings in January, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Emery set to make mark

The Spaniard has replaced Steven Gerrard in the Villa Park hot seat and already made a positive impact, with key wins picked up against Manchester United and Brighton.

Emery will take time to fully make his mark in the job, however, and he is sure to want to bring in players who are tailor-made to thrive in his system.

January signings are key, in that respect, and it looks as though the manager will get his wish.

The Latest: New signings in January?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano confirmed that the funds would be available to sign new players in January:

“For sure, they will look at new signings. Unai Emery, when he negotiated with Aston Villa, he had some guarantees on new potential signings in January and, of course, in the summer.”

The Verdict: Good move by owners

NSWE deserve undoubted praise for making the money available in the next window, ensuring Emery is given the support he needs to take the club forward.

If January was to drift by without any signings coming in, it could hamper Villa’s progress moving forward, not allowing the boss to take the team in a positive direction.

A few additions in key areas could make for an exciting second half to the campaign, however, before further reinforcements are made during the summer.

Leeds United have been dealt a potential setback to their hopes of securing a move for reported transfer target Raphael Guerreiro. 

The Lowdown: Leeds’ interest in Guerreiro

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Whites are planning to make an approach to sign the full-back from Borussia Dortmund during the upcoming January transfer window.

With the World Cup in Qatar around the corner, this will give the Yorkshire club the chance to potentially see Guerreiro in action for Portugal ahead of the winter market opening for business.

However, it appears that the Elland Road outfit have been dealt a potential blow to their chances of signing the defender.

The Latest: West Ham join Guerreiro transfer race

According to a recent report from Jeunes Footeux, West Ham United have joined the race to sign the 28-year-old from Dortmund in January.

The report adds that the German club have offered a new deal to Guerreiro, who is set to see his current contract expire at the end of June.

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The Verdict: Leeds must be ruthless

Across 206 appearances for Dortmund, Guerreiro has scored 37 goals and delivered 39 assists in the process.

Across his 12 Bundesliga outings this season, he has racked up the third-highest number of key passes (14) and third-highest number of shot-creating actions (32) at the club, highlighting how much of an attacking threat he can offer.

From a defensive point of view, Guerreiro – who has been described in the past by Michael Zorc as being in “exceptionally good shape” – has the fourth-highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (35) in the Dortmund squad.

This showcases just how effective the full-back can be up and down the pitch, which is presumably why Dortmund are keen to keep hold of him and why the likes of Leeds and West Ham want to sign him.

Taking all that into account, we feel that Guerreiro would be a very smart signing for Jesse Marsch’s side and that the club will need to be ruthless in their attempts to sign him in January if they are to prevent the Hammers from beating them to the punch.

Aston Villa have risen from the ashes left scattered in the wake of Steven Gerrard’s tenure at the club, having appointed success-driven manager Unai Emery and steering away from the chasm that is the Premier League relegation zone.  

With Emery now utilising the midseason break, due to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he will be assessing his entire squad with furrowed brows, looking to identify the best path to success for both his team and his individual players.

One such squad member is Cameron Archer, with the 20-year-old striker an attractive talent in Aston, having netted 17 times and providing seven assists in just 36 appearances for the Villa U21s before earning several chances for the seniors. 

And scoring four times in just 13 appearances, he is certainly staking his claim for a shot at a regular place in the coming years.

This includes a memorable hat-trick in last season’s Carabao Cup, which the young ace achieved on his first start for the Claret and Blue during a 6-0 rout over lowly Barrow in the second round before netting in the third round against Chelsea. 

However, at present, progress may be hindered should he remain at Villa Park, with a temporary departure perhaps the best avenue to continue to build his skillset and nurture his ability. 

Indeed, the forward has played just 51 minutes of action across all competitions thus far, and according to Football Insider, there are a host of Championship outfits seeking to clinch the starlet for the remainder of the current term, with Sunderland looking to forge ahead and strike a deal. 

Sunderland, who achieved promotion to the second division earlier this year, are enjoying a steady campaign and look to be a step ahead of the scrambling pack at the bottom of the division.

Slotting Archer into the fray would provide a clinical offensive presence to complement a strike force that relies heavily on the 26-year-old Ross Stewart.

Whilst boasting young stars such as Jewison Bennette and loanee Ellis Simms, The Stadium of Light calls for a player to bring vibrancy and firepower to continue a climb toward the promotion places.

With just 43 Premier League minutes under his belt this year, Archer would do well in following suit of other young forwards, such as former Aston Villa loanee Tammy Abraham, in flourishing in England’s second tier before aiming sights toward the Premier League. 

Archer has been catching the eye for some time now, despite his tender age, netting seven times in just 20 outings while on loan at Preston North End, with boss Ryan Lowe lauding his “abundance of talent”. 

Having signed a new long-term contract with his club earlier this year, it is evident that the Villa hierarchy view his potential as something that can blossom over the coming years.  

However, he cannot continue to keep eating up his time while sitting on the bench. At the moment his potential is being ruined by such a factor but a move to the northeast could just benefit all parties.

With Championship experience already under his belt, Archer might just be prudent to grasp the current opportunity to star for the Black Cats, and return to Villa Park ready to take the Premier League by storm.

Newcastle United defender Dan Burn will travel to Saudi Arabia to join the mid-season training camp ‘within the next 24 hours’, according to journalist Jordan Cronin.

The Lowdown: Injury scare?

The Premier League side jetted out to Riyadh on Sunday to begin a week-long camp in the Middle East to prepare for the return of domestic action following the conclusion of the World Cup.

However, supporters noticed that the 30-year-old was missing from the squad’s official team photo upon arrival, prompting concerns that he may have picked up an injury during the break.

The Latest: Cronin’s update

Taking to Twitter, Cronin confirmed that Burn didn’t make the initial flight, but is set to join his teammates imminently.

“Dan Burn did not travel with his NUFC teammates to Saudi Arabia yesterday but told he is due to link up with the squad within the next 24 hours.”

Expanding in his column for Newcastle World, the reporter claimed that the centre-back’s absence was ‘because of illness’, though the fact he is already jetting out suggests it was not serious.

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The Verdict: Boost for Howe

Newcastle learning that Burn hasn’t sustained an injury or any major issue will come as a huge boost to Eddie Howe given the rock he’s been at the heart of his backline this season.

The 6 foot 4 colossus has been averaging 3.2 clearances and 2.1 aerial wins per league 90 minutes, alongside offering versatility having operated at left-back for a large majority of the term so far (WhoScored).

The Magpies are set to face Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup last 16 in just over a fortnight, and Burn being available for selection will only increase the chances of his side progressing to the quarter-finals.