Back from the international break, and the fixture list has brought together two teams in contrasting form.  

Both ends of the scale 

Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last five games after a woeful 2016 that saw them win just twice in the Premier League between December 2015 to September 2016.  

Christian Benteke has played a big role in improving Palace's form.  Photo:Getty Images: Terry Donnally CameraSport
Christian Benteke has played a big role in improving Palace's form. Photo:Getty Images: Terry Donnally CameraSport

In contrast, West Ham had a much better second half of last season compared to the Eagles, however they currently on a run of five games without a win, and that included four straight defeats.  

What the managers have said 

Palace manager Alan Pardew had his say on West Ham's poor form and Slaven Bilic, saying "he's an experienced manager" and "he'll know how to deal with it (the current poor form)."  

Bilic himself believes that his side can use Palace as inspiration to improve their results, as they have turned their own form around, and "probably didn't want the (international) break." 

Team News 

Palace manager Pardew has revealed defender Scott Dann will be missing this weekend due to a hamstring injury, however he should be available next week for the game against Leicester City.  

The home side will still be without full-back Pape Souare and striker Loic Remy, who are both out long-term. 

West Ham will welcome back defender Aaron Cresswell for the first time this season, as he has now fully recovered from a knee injury. 

Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri are fit to play, but Gokhan Tore, Arthur Masuaku, Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll, Sam Byram and Andre Ayew are all still unavailable.  

Match facts 

A win for Palace on Saturday evening would see them equal their best ever run of Premier League victories in a row, 6. West Ham will be hoping to be more solid defensively this weekend, after conceding 17 goals already this season, the most in the division.   

Predicted line-ups

Crystal Palace: Mandanda; Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Kelly; McArthur, Cabaye; Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend; Benteke. 

West Ham United: Adrian; Arbeloa, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Obiang, Noble, Kouyate; Antonio, Zaza, Payet.