West Ham United have had a long break and did not play last weekend due to Liverpool’s participation in the Club World Cup. The Hammers will return to Premier League football on Boxing Day, when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are 16th in the Premier League, 4 points clear of the relegation zone. The last time West Ham and Crystal Palace faced off in the league, Palace won 2-1 at the London Stadium.
West Ham Team News
West Ham could have their first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski back, while David Martin, who suffered an injury, could also be available. But they will have to pass late fitness tests.
Jack Wilshere may not be available for the game against Palace, while midfielder Manuel Lanzini and winger Felipe Anderson could be available, having trained last week.
Let’s take a look at the West Ham United team for the game against Palace:
Predicted West Ham Lineup vs Crystal Palace
Goalkeeper
If Fabianski is fit, he will go straight into the West Ham lineup, while Martin could replace him if he’s fit, and the former doesn’t pass his fitness test. Pellegrini has said that Roberto will start if the other two are not 100%.
Defence
Fabián Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna started last time in central defence, and they could retain their places in the team, while Issa Diop is an option as well.
Ryan Fredericks and Aaron Cresswell should start at right-back and left-back, respectively. Arthur Masuaku is an option at left-back as well, but Cresswell will mostly keep his place in the West Ham lineup, having put in some good performances this season.
Midfield
Pellegrini could stick to his 4-4-2 formation with Declan Rice and captain Mark Noble playing in the middle of the park.
Andriy Yarmolenko could replace Robert Snodgrass on the right side of attack, while Pablo Fornals could keep his place over on the left side, having assisted the Hammers’ only goal last time around.
Attack
Sébastien Haller and Michail Antonio started as the two forwards for West Ham against Southampton, and we could see them continue in attack.
Haller scored last time around, which was his fifth goal of the season. Antonio had a great game last time around and he could be a menace to Palace’s defence.
