Crystal Palace vs West Ham: Premier League Preview, Gameweek 2, 2024
Getty: Rob Newell - CameraSport

Saturday sees West Ham United travel to Selhurst Park, with both sides looking to earn their first points of the season.

For Crystal Palace, they aim to continue where they left off last season and carry on with their very impressive form under newly appointed manager Oliver Glasner, who has fans believing in European qualification.

Conversely West Ham look to adapt to life under newly appointed Julen Lopetegui, who has worked incredibly hard in the summer transfer window, bringing in new faces in hopes that they can help return European football to the London Stadium. 

Both sides endured 2-1 losses in Gameweek 1 - Palace at the hands of Brentford and West Ham to the hands of Aston Villa. 

  • Team news 

Crystal Palace,

Crystal Palace only lose one player to injury as Matheus Franca continues to suffer with a broken rib, believing to keep him out until mid-September.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, they will now be without Danish defender Joachim Andersen after recently joining Fulham for a fee of around 30 million pounds this week hindering the Palace defence.

Palace also will be without Striker Jordan Ayew after joining Leicester City for a fee of £5.1m. 

Despite recent speculation that star defender Marc Guehi will not be available to play on the opening game at Selhurst Park this season, Oliver Glasner has reassured the media that Guehi will start against West Ham and will continue his newly appointed role as Crystal Palace captain.

West Ham 

Hammers fans will be delighted to hear that after missing the first game of the season due to injury, Edson Alvarez is expected to make a return to the squad following a hamstring injury sustained at Copa America, however a recent report from ExWHUEmployee has stated that the Mexican will be in the squad tomorrow.

The good news continues for the visitors as it is a possibility that Aaron Wan-Bissaka may make his debut in a West Ham shirt. 

This comes after being an unused substitute vs Aston Villa due to injury precautions as the right back took part in a heavy pre-season with his former employers Manchester United.

Nayef Aguerd and Luis Guillherme may also return to the squad after being left out of Lopetegui’s side against Villa.

  • Likely lineups 

Crystal Palace: 

Henderson; Richards, Riad, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Kamada, Eze; Mateta

West Ham:

Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Paquetá, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Bowen; Füllkrug

  • Key players

Crystal Palace - Jean-Philippe Mateta

Emerging as a reborn version of his former self, Jean-Philippe Mateta has proven all his doubters wrong as he has become a major threat upfront for Palace in the recent months.

Scoring 19 goals for Palace last season, the Frenchman looks to continue his great run of form after also displaying many successful performances for Thierry Henry’s U23’s France squad in the Summer Olympics, where he scored 5 goals 6 games. 

His precise finishing and physicality will most likely cause many issues for a new West Ham defence, with many Hammers fans still haunted by the French strikers performance against them last season at Selhurst Park - a game in which Mateta grabbed a brace in a 5-2 win.

West Ham - Mohammed Kudus 

West Ham significantly improved their attack last season as a gem was found in Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus from Dutch giants Ajax.

Scoring 8 goals and grabbing 6 assists in his debut Premier League season, Kudus has instantly become a fan favourite at the London Stadium.

His pace, passing and ability to cut inside any oppositions defence makes him a clear threat to Oliver Glasner’s side, leaving the Palace defenders to have to keep a good eye on the Ghanaian.

  • Match details 

Where is the game being played? 

The match will be played at Crystal Palace’s infamous Selhurst Park- their first home game of the 24/25 season. 

What time is kick-off?

The match kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 24th August.

How can I watch?

Unfortunately, the match has not been selected to be televised on Sky Sports or any other sports streaming services in the UK.

However you can keep updated on the score line via the Sky Sports Webiste and the Premier League app.

You will also be able to watch the match highlights alongside key analysis at 22:20 BST (BBC One) on Match of the Day later that night. The highlights will also be available to watch on YouTube shortly following the final whistle.