West Ham United travel to Crystal Palace this evening with David Moyes set to make seven changes from the win over Doncaster.
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The Hammers fielded a strong side in the FA Cup fourth round and performed well to triumph 4-0 against the League One outfit.
All eyes quickly turn back to the Premier League, though. And West Ham are looking to continue their winning start to 2021. In fact Moyes can make history as no West Ham side has ever started a calendar year with six consecutive victories.
In fact a victory for West Ham at Selhurst Park could propel them into fourth place in the table, depending on results elsewhere.
West Ham boosted by Antonio after striker’s absence was felt in reverse fixture last month
West Ham drew 1-1 with Palace in the reverse fixture last month.
The Eagles proved a tough nut to crack during an below par performance from the Hammers who could not find a winner against 10 men.
Palace have recently been boosted by the return to fitness of former West Ham favourite James Tomkins.
But the Hammers have been boosted by the news that the centre back will miss the game after picking up a training ground knock.
New Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has looked red hot in training. But he too is unavailable for the hosts due to an issue with his visa since signing.
Moyes to make seven changes from the side that started cup thrashing over Doncaster
West Ham are boosted this time around by the return to fitness and form of main man Michail Antonio.
The striker has scored the winning goal in West Ham’s last two Premier League games – which were his first two league starts since returning from injury.
Antonio will start up front for West Ham as one of seven likely changes to be made by Moyes.
The back four will have a completely different look to the team that started against Doncaster at the weekend.
Changing of the (rear)guard
Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell replace Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena and Ben Johnson.
In midfield Declan Rice will replace Mark Noble while Jarrod Bowen will come back in, taking Manuel Lanzini’s starting spot.
Antonio replaces Andriy Yarmolenko up front.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Palace:
Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio.
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