As the international break draws to a close, the Premier League returns as Palace face London rivals West Ham United at Selhurst Park.
Both teams will be looking to keep up the race for Europe in the early stages of the campaign and the Hammers have impressed with convincing wins over Arsenal and Manchester City. However, Slaven Bilic’s side have managed back to back draws with Sunderland and Norwich City on top of a defeat to Bournemouth which have hindered their momentum and travel south with three wins in their last five games.
Alan Pardew’s side are in an identical trend with three wins from their last five games and will look to extend back to back wins into a three game win streak with a tough run of fixtures coming up. The Eagles will want to keep up the same tempo as that shown in the home win over a poor West Bromwich Albion side in order to take the game to West Ham.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Joel Ward and Connor Wickham are both still sidelined along with long term absentee Marouane Chamakh. Midfield trio Mile Jedinak, Jordon Mutch and Chung Yong-Lee are back in contention to return to the side as is defender Damien Delaney.
West Ham United – Midfielders Alex Song and Joey O’Brien are long term absentees while defender Winston Reid is touch and go adding to their defensive worries as Aaron Creswell suffered a knock in training and may also miss out. Angelo Ogbonna and Enner Valencia have returned to training but Saturday appears to be too soon for their return.
Action Replay
It was a case of déjà vu last season as the Hammers ran out 3-1 winners at Selhurst Park, a Marouane Chamakh goal proved no more than a consolation after Carlton Cole wrapped up the points late on. Pardew’s side however got their revenge in a 3-1 win at Upton Park with goals from Scott Dann and a brace from Glenn Murray secured a win for the South Londoners. Goal-scorer Murray also found himself having an early bath after being dismissed early on in second half.
Form Guide
In the last six games between the two sides Palace have the upper hand with three wins to West Ham’s one along with two draws. At Selhurst it is pretty even with one win a piece and a draw. As for the last six games in the Premier League, Palace have 12 points from a possible eighteen while the Hammers have eleven so the game promises to be a well matched contest.
One to Watch
Dimitri Payet
The French playmaker has lit up the Premier League since his arrival in the summer from Marseille having scored four goals and assisted three. The exciting attacking midfielder has vastly improved a West Ham side who will be looking at another shot at European competition next season. According to Who Scored he is the top rated Hammer at 7.85 from eight appearances.
Predictions
Final league position – 8th
Slaven Bilic has a great squad at his disposal and should easily be looking at securing a Europa league spot and need to look toward building on their impressive away form which has seen them go unbeaten away from home so far this season.
- TEB prediction – draw
- West Ham Central prediction – draw
- Who Scored prediction – draw
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – evens
- Draw – 12/5
- Away – 29/10
Find out what the team at West Ham Central told us this week in The Hammers View.
