In Palace’s last ever trip to Upton Park they look for their first win in thirteen league matches while the Hammers aim to keep their five game unbeaten run going.
The statistics are clearly in favour of West Ham United which suits Palace down to the ground. Having the underdog label has served the Eagles very well in the past with top draw, unexpected performances against some of the top sides such as the one dubbed ‘Crystanbul’, Palace beating Manchester City 2-1 and that 1-0 win against Chelsea two seasons ago to name just a few.
With the season drawing to a close, the visit to Upton Park is bound to be an emotional one. Built several years before Selhurst Park it remains an iconic, historic, memory filled stadium on Green Street. Having survived two World Wars and well over a hundred years of football, it is a shame to see the demise of one of the more traditional football grounds.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Connor Wickham (thigh), Mile Jedinak (hamstring), Yohan Cabaye (knock) and Emmanuel Adebayor (knock) are all doubtful. James McArthur (ankle), Marouane Chamakh (groin) and Kwesi Appiah (knee) remain unavailable. Jason Puncheon is back from his long stint away from the starting eleven.
West Ham United – With Sam Byram (muscular) unavailable its increasing likely that Michail Antonio will be placed at right back once more. James Collins (hamstring) is returning from injury but the London derby comes too soon for him. James Tomkins is expected to start in defence. Carl Jenkinson (knee) is out for the season.
Action Replay
The reverse fixture proved painful for Palace at Selhurst Park earlier in the season after losing 3-1 to the Hammers. An opening header from Arsenal loanee Carl Jenkinson made things look bleak early on for the Eagles before Dwight Gayle clawed back a penalty that Yohan Cabaye sweetly placed in the bottom corner. Just before the break Gayle saw red after diving in for a needless tackle leaving Palace with ten men for the second half. The visitors put on a Barcelona-like passing display but did not create many clear cut goal scoring opportunities until the final ten minutes. Man of the match Manuel Lanzini scored from distance and Dimitri Payet killed off the match off with a sublime chip over a stranded Wayne Hennessy.
Form Guide
Last six meetings;
- 17th October 2015: Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham
- 28th February 2015: West Ham 1-3 Crystal Palace
- 23rd August 2014: Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham
- 19th April 2014: West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace
- 3rd December 2013: Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham
- 25th February 2012: West Ham 0-0 Crystal Palace
The hosts have managed three wins and two draws from the last six Premier League games with the only loss away at Southampton. Palace have only managed two draws in six games which were against Swansea City and Sunderland.
Form Players (courtesy of Who Scored)
Dimitri Payet (7.71), Cheikhou Kouyate (7.3), Manuel Lanzini/Yohan Cabaye (7.24), Yannick Bolaise (7.15), Wilfried Zaha (7.04).
One To Watch
Aaron Cresswell
With the vast majority of previews making the obvious statement that Payet or Lanzini are the players to watch for West Ham, I have gone for 26 year old English left back Aaron Cresswell. Since joining the Hammers from Ipswich Town for around £4 million, he has impressed during his time in East London. This season he has stood out for along with the more exciting Payet, Lanzini and Mark Noble. After being named West Ham player of the year and Hammer of the year in May 2015, he has made a huge statement with his performances this season to be in with a chance of gaining an England cap. How he has not yet reached this milestone is a mystery.
Predictions
Final league position – 5th
The race for fourth place looks to be between Manchester City, West Ham and Manchester United. The way the season has gone so far it is hard to pinpoint exactly where they are going to finish but the Hammers could seal fifth place and split the two Manchester clubs.
- TEB prediction – draw
- Stuart Plant prediction (see link below) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – home win
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 19/20
- Draw – 5/2
- Away – 3/1
Find our what Stuart Plant from Iron Views told TEB this week in The West Ham View.
