West Ham United are the next visitors for Lincoln City, with a possible starting XI that underlines the quality we are facing in the Championship.
I am no expert on our opposition, but I will have a go at guessing their starting XI. I expect the Hammers to begin in a 4-2-3-1, but there is scope for that to change, particularly with defenders who can occupy more than one position and Joel Piroe capable of joining the striker.
For us, the attacking quartet looks the obvious concern, but there is an interesting balance further back as well. Divine Mukasa alongside Arne Engels would give West Ham plenty of ambition in possession, and I would like to think our midfield could ask questions of that pairing when we get the ball.
GK: Mads Hermansen
Hermansen developed at Brøndby, where he was named the club’s Player of the Year in 2022. He joined Leicester in July 2023 and helped them win the Championship in his first season, earning a place in the division’s Team of the Season.
West Ham signed him in August 2025 for a reported £20 million, agreeing a five-year contract. Having represented Denmark through the youth age groups, he made his senior international debut in March 2026, keeping a clean sheet against North Macedonia.
RB: Joël Veltman
Veltman came through Ajax’s academy and made 246 first-team appearances before joining Brighton in July 2020. He also earned 28 Netherlands caps and was part of their squad at the 2014 World Cup.
After six years with Brighton, he joined West Ham in August 2026. The 34-year-old signed a one-year contract with an option for a further season.
RCB: Konstantinos Mavropanos
Mavropanos began his senior career with PAS Giannina before joining Arsenal in January 2018. Loans at Nürnberg and Stuttgart followed, with the latter making his move permanent in 2022.
West Ham signed the Greece international in August 2023, and he was voted their Hammer of the Year for 2025/26. He also won September’s Championship Player of the Month award after scoring four goals in five matches.
LCB: Max Kilman
Kilman played for Maidenhead United and spent time on loan at Marlow before joining Wolves in 2018. Alongside his early football career, he represented England at futsal, earning 25 caps.
He became Wolves captain in 2023 and played every minute of their 2023/24 Premier League campaign. West Ham signed him in July 2024 for a reported £40 million, with Maidenhead receiving £4 million through their sell-on clause.
LB: Morato
Morato, whose full name is Felipe Rodrigues da Silva, came through São Paulo’s youth system before joining Benfica in September 2019. He progressed from their B team to the senior side and scored against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 2021.
Nottingham Forest signed the Brazilian in August 2024 for a reported £12.6 million. He joined West Ham on loan on 1 September 2026, having previously played at both centre-back and left-back.
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