5 players who will decide West Ham vs. Bournemouth | OneFootball

West Ham dropped more points at mid-week with a 1-0 loss to Wolves, and while it was another poor result from a team that is lower than them in the Premier League table, at least the Hammers under Graham Potter have some semblance of ambition and positivity despite the futility of the majority of their starters.

On Saturday, West Ham will defend the London Stadium against one of the Premier League's better sides, as Bournemouth are a well-coached team and in contention for European football.

Here are five players who will decide this game.

West Ham RB Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the lone true bright spot in West Ham's defeat to Wolves, and that's been the case in far too many games this season. But at least that's a feather in the cap of the former Manchester United and Crystal Palace man, as Wan-Bissaka has taken quite well to his new surroundings at the London Stadium, recovering his previous Palace form - while adding some veteran know-how.

It will be Wan-Bissaka tasked with doing the most important defensive work on the flank against Antoine Semenyo and a dangerous Bournemouth attack on the counter while also doing some more hard work offensively to progress play.

Bournemouth FW Antoine Semenyo

Antoine Semenyo has been one of the big breakout stars of the 2024/25 Premier League season, to the point where he has even been whispered as a potential Mohamed Salah replacement for Liverpool down the road.

With seven goals, four assists, and plenty of electrifying dribbling down either flank, Semenyo is the biggest attacking threat on either side, and if West Ham can't keep him quiet, they might as well not get off the buses.

West Ham FW Jarrod Bowen

For West Ham, their best attacking counterpoint to Semenyo is Jarrod Bowen, who is often the only valid attacking threat the Hammers have. And that was illustrated in their most recent defeat to Wolves, as Bowen had one of his worst games of the season, leaving the Irons toothless and totally hopeless against their opponents.

Bowen has seven goals and five assists this season, and when you compare his numbers to Semenyo's while accounting for his own team's futility, you could actually make the case that he's had just as good of a season. West Ham's hopes on Saturday rest on Bowen's shoulders.

Bournemouth CB Dean Huijsen

Antoine Semenyo may be the main attacking threat for Bournemouth, but Dean Huijsen has unmistakably been the club's hottest star this season. Even Real Madrid are looking at the converted Spanish international, who has been a stalwart at the back for both club and country.

Huijsen vs. Bowen is a key matchup to watch, as Huijsen has been one of the best center backs in the Premier League this season. He's smart, athletic, and difficult to dribble past with his strong reading of the game.

West Ham DM Tomas Soucek

Tomas Soucek has as many goals as West Ham star forward Jarrod Bowen and has been decent defensively to go with those goals. Though he may be getting up there in age, Soucek remains important to West Ham for more than even his leadership alone, and he could very well be the X-Factor against Bournemouth with those key headers and well-timed charges into the penalty area.