West Ham United welcome their capital rivals Crystal Palace to the London Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides endured sluggish starts to the campaign but have recovered to climb into mid-table. David Moyes has found a balance between West Ham’s European ambitions and domestic obligations while Patrick Vieira’s Palace are enjoying the uptick in form a front-loaded fixture list always hinted at.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming meeting between these sides.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
West Ham team news
Lukasz Fabianski was forced off against Manchester United last weekend after jarring his knee. The Pole didn’t feature in the youthful side which dispatched FCSB in midweek and is a doubt for Palace’s visit.
Maxwel Cornet has missed the last nine matches, a tally which may hit double digits after he suffered a setback in his recovery last month. Lucas Paqueta, however, is back in training and could return from a shoulder injury this Sunday.
West Ham Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Areola; Kehrer, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Scamacca.
Bench: Randolph, Johnson, Coufal, Fornals, Antonio, Lanzini, Ogbonna, Downes, Emerson.
Crystal Palace team news
Odsonne Edouard scored the only goal against Southampton last weekend but was forced off in the closing stages with a knock. While there is some uncertainty over the striker’s availability, he was fit enough for a sparring session with one of the club’s coaching staff during the week.
Cheick Doucoure may not be able to lace up this Sunday after missing Southampton’s visit due to a pile-up of minor injuries. Chris Richards (thigh) and James McArthur (groin) are also significant doubts.
Crystal Palace Starting 11 (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Schlupp, Milivojevic, Eze; Olise, Edouard, Zaha.
Bench: Johnstone, Tomkins, Ayew, Mateta, Clyne, Hughes, Ebiowei, Riedewald, Wells-Morrison.
In an odd quirk, both teams have found the net in each of the last ten meetings between West Ham and Palace. However, the Eagles have failed to score in their last three away matches – only Nottingham Forest have netted fewer goals away from home in the Premier League this season.
West Ham, by comparison, come into the contest enjoying a run of six consecutive home victories across all competitions. After recently pushing both Liverpool and Manchester United close on the road, the Hammers may extend their winning run at the London Stadium this weekend.
Prediction: West Ham 1-0 Crystal Palace
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