For the second week in succession, Sam Allardyce takes his Palace side to another of his former clubs.
This time it is West Ham United and a first trip to the London Stadium for the Eagles. Allardyce spent almost four years in charge of the Hammers and he will no doubt receive a good reception from the fans, particularly as he took them back to the Premier League through the play offs in 2012.
The hosts have been quite out of sorts so far this season particularly at home and head into the game after a big loss at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend. There is no secret that boss Slaven Bilic is under pressure with some fans calling for him to be replaced. With the added complication of star player Dimitri Payet believed to no longer want to play for the club, the problems continue to mount up for Bilic.
Big Sam is still in search of his first win as Palace boss and there is no doubting that he would enjoy it a little more against one of his former employers.
TEAM NEWS courtesy of Physio Room
CRYSTAL PALACE – Connor Wickham (knee), Steve Mandanda (kne), Jonathan Benteke (knee) and Pape Souare (leg) all miss out. Christian Benteke (shoulder), Scott Dann (hamstring), James McArthur (calf) and Wayne Hennessey (knock) all faces late fitness tests.
WEST HAM UNITED – Diafra Sakho (back), Arthur Masuaka (knee), Gokhan Tore (knee), and Alvaro Arbeloa (calf) all miss out. Michail Antonio (illness) and James Collins (hamstring) may face a late fitness tests.
ACTION REPLAY
A superb goal in the 19th minute by Argentinian midfielder Manuel Lanzini was enough to seal the win for the Hammers at Selhurst Park. A second yellow card for Aaron Cresswell with fifteen minutes to go gave the Eagles a chance but they were not able to take advantage.
Who Scored Man Of The Match – Manuel Lanzini (8.6)
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 15/10/2016: Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham United
- 02/04/2016: West Ham United 2-2 Crystal Palace
- 17/10/2015: Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham United
- 28/02/2015: West Ham United 1-3 Crystal Palace
- 23/08/2014: Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham United
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 07/01/2017: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Crystal Palace
- 03/01/2017: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
- 01/01/2017: Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
- 26/12/2016: Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace
- 17/12/2016: Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
Last FIVE results for West Ham;
- 06/01/2017: West Ham United 0-5 Manchester City
- 02/01/2017: West Ham United 0-2 Manchester United
- 31/12/2016: Leicester City 1-0 West Ham United
- 26/12/2016: Swansea City 1-4 West Ham United
- 17/12/2016: West Ham United 1-0 Hull City
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Dimitri Payet 7.54
- Wilfried Zaha 7.51
- Christian Benteke 7.36
- Winston Reid 7.32
ONE TO WATCH
MICHAIL ANTONIO
The Wandsworth born winger began his career at Tooting & Mitcham in 2002 but did not make his first team debut until 2007. A move to Reading followed in 2008 where he made 28 appearances but his stint there included loan spells back at Tooting as well as Cheltenham Town, Southampton, Colchester United and Sheffield Wednesday. It was his 14 game loan spell at Hillsborough that encouraged the Yorkshire club to sign him permanently, going on to make 64 appearances, scoring 12 goals. He signed for Nottingham Forest in 2014 and after 50 appearances he moved to West Ham for a fee of around £7million. The 26 year old earned his first England call up for the 2018 World Cup qualifying game against Slovakia in September 2016 but did not make an appearance.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 16th
It is difficult to decide whether current boss Slaven Bilic will see out the season considering the poor start for the Hammers. Much will depend on how active the club are in the transfer window as new blood is most definately needed particularly as their search for that elusive striker to lead the line continues. With Payet seemingly now disinterested and looking to force a move, Bilic will need to try and find a way of filling the void.
- TEB prediction – away win
- Stu Plant’s prediction (see link below) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – away win
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home -13/10
- Draw – 23/10
- Away – 9/4
- Both teams to score – 4/6
FIND OUR WHAT STU PLANT FROM IRON VIEWS TOLD TEB THIS WEEK IN THE WEST HAM VIEW
