This weekend features two sides who have started the season better than they would have imagined when third-placed Crystal Palace take on sixth-placed West Ham at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Last time out, Palace got back to playing the way Alan Pardew would want, getting into the final third with speed and skill to clinch a 2-0 victory over West Brom. Wilfried Zaha was back to his best after enduring something of a lean spell, in which he was well contained and was often substituted early. In some cases, he was left out of the starting XI altogether.
The Hammers had a difficult start to their last fixture against Sunderland, forced to come back from 2-0 down early to earn a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. That result means West Ham are now unbeaten in four matches on the road. The last time they went five games unbeaten on their travels was 2009 so they will be looking to break that record.
Palace will be looking to secure a third win at home and build on their 15 points so far this season. The last time they had this many points after eight matches during a top flight season was 1990-91 and they went on to finish third that season.
Key Battle – Wilfried Zaha vs Carl Jenkinson
This looms as the key matchup that West Ham will need to take advantage of. Zaha has shown in the last two games what he can do with his speed and ball control against the slower full-backs of West Brom and Watford, winning two penalties after beating them.
Jenkinson will need all the assistance he can get in keeping Zaha under wraps, though West Bromwich Albion showed it can be done by doubling up on him.
Keeping Zaha quiet will go a long way to the visitors leaving Selhurst Park with all three points.
Team News
Palace will be hoping captain Damien Delaney and Joel Ward will both return from injury after being sidelined since the September international break. However, the form of Hangeland during Delaney’s absence will likely see Pardew take no risks with his captain until he is 100% fit.
West Ham will go into the match with an unchanged lineup, looking to keep their unbeaten run on the road alive. Although they do have some concern over central defender Winston Reid, he should be able to take his place in the XI.
Head-to-Head
In their 23 previous encounters, West Ham have the slight advantage with nine wins to the Eagles’ seven with another seven matches ending level.
Previous Meeting
The last encounter between the two sides saw Palace win 3-1 at Upton Park thanks to a Glenn Murray double in a game where he was also sent off.
Prediction
This game should be a tense encounter with both sides looking to secure their position high up on the table. However, based on the performances the Eagles have put together lately, they should be able to get the win.
Crystal Palace 2 West Ham United 1
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