The Eagles have just one win in the last nine games, while West Ham are boasting a record points haul at the season halfway mark. Palace have a good recent record against the Hammers, winning two and drawing two of their past four, but know they face a different side to the 1-1 draw a month ago, at Selhurst Park this evening.
In-form West Ham United will be looking to make it six wins in a row in all competitions when they face London rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday evening. United are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup and are flying high in seventh in the league, nine points better off than a Palace side with one win in their last nine overall.
The Hammers kept their momentum going with a comfortable 4-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday – the first time they have scored three or more in a home tie in the competition in a decade. Everything is looking up for David Moyes, who has not been afraid to tweak his system to get the most out of his squad.
The Eagles have struggled for momentum pretty much all season long, though they have taken points off Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Arsenal over the past five weeks. Last week’s heavy 4-0 reverse at the hands of Manchester City would have dented confidence, though, with Palace now marooned in mid-table, neither in relegation danger nor in serious European contention.
The good news for the Eagles is that they are unbeaten in their last four top-flight encounters with West Ham, winning two and drawing two, a run that includes a 1-1 draw when the sides faced off a little over a month ago. With a home match against stuttering champions Liverpool to come next week, Moyes will be keen to get three more points on the board on Tuesday against cross-city rivals Palace.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United Head-to-Head
In 17 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, the record is exactly even. West Ham United have won five games, lost five and drawn seven. The two clubs last faced each other last year in the English Premier League, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Belgian striker Christian Benteke put Crystal Palace ahead in the first half, only for Ivory Coast international Sebastien Haller, now at Ajax, to equalize for West Ham United. Benteke was sent off in the second half.
Crystal Palace form guide in the English Premier League: L-D-W-D-L
West Ham United form guide in the English Premier League: W-W-W-D-D
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United Team News
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have a few injury issues to deal with. French centre-back Mamadou Sakho, Ghana international Jeffrey Schlupp and forward Connor Wickham are missing. Defender Martin Kelly, Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and young defender Nathan Ferguson are all out. There are doubts over the availability of star winger Wilfried Zaha and Senegalese midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate.
Injured: Mamadou Sakho, Jeffrey Schlupp, Connor Wickham, Martin Kelly, Wayne Hennessey, Nathan Ferguson
Doubtful: Wilfried Zaha, Cheikhou Kouyate
Suspended: None
West Ham United
Meanwhile, West Ham United manager David Moyes will be unable to call upon left-back Arthur Masuaku, who is nursing an injury. There are doubts over the availability of goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
Injured: Arthur Masuaku
Doubtful: Darren Randolph
Suspended: None
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United Predicted XI
Crystal Palace Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Vicente Guaita, Joel Ward, James Tomkins, Gary Cahill, Tyrick Mitchell, Luka Milivojevic, Andros Townsend, James McCarthy, James McArthur, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew
West Ham United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, Manuel Lanzini, Said Benrahma, Michail Antonio
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United Prediction
Crystal Palace are 13th in the league table, and there has been some criticism aimed at manager Roy Hodgson. They have signed talented forward Jean-Philippe Mateta from Bundesliga side Mainz, and will hope that the attacker manages to replicate his form in the Premier League.
West Ham United, on the other hand, have been one of the better teams this season in the league. David Moyes has earned plaudits for his work, with the likes of Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen all impressing.