Crystal Palace Match Preview

The home victory over Leicester City on Monday night meant that West Ham United had won their opening two games of a season for the first time since the 1997/98 campaign and in doing so, they propelled themselves to top spot in the Premier League by virtue of goals scored.

A loyal fan base will return to East London this weekend in the hope to see their team extend a 100% record and look to end August on a high by going into the international break with success in their first London derby of the campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

This will be the first 3pm kick-off to involve the Hammers since last season’s home encounter against Arsenal back on 21 March.

When the fixtures for the current season were released back on 16 June, at that point, it was still unknown who would succeed the outgoing Roy Hodgson in the hotseat at Selhurst Park and it took until mid-July for them to confirm former Arsenal skipper and French international Patrick Viera as their new Head-Coach.

Although the hosts were only in action five days ago, they will be the fresher of the two sides, given that the Eagles were involved in Carabao Cup action in midweek where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Premier League newcomers Watford.

Having scored eight goals in two games, the Irons may fancy their chances of stretching that particular statistic here, as Viera’s men are yet to score this season.

As well as surpassing Paolo Di Canio as the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorer against the Foxes last time out, Michail Antonio also made it fifty one goals in all competitions for West Ham in that match and he will be desperate to continue his scintillating form by retaining his place.

The match in Stratford will be refereed by Stuart Attwell.