Julen Lopetegui looks set to make four West Ham changes for Crystal Palace as a new star misses out but there could be three full debuts.
West Ham fans were left disappointed and a touch bemused by Julen Lopetegui’s first team selection for a competitive game last week.
The Hammers head coach only named two of his eight new summer signings in the West Ham starting XI for the opening day defeat to Villa.
West Ham now head to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
And supporters are hoping to see more of their new arrivals kicking off against the Eagles.
Indeed new striker Niclas Fullkrug is expecting to see himself in the West Ham starting line-up for Crystal Palace after his comments in the wake of that Villa defeat.
Crystal Palace will be no pushovers, though. They were one of the form teams at the end of last season under new boss Oliver Glasner.
Lopetegui makes four West Ham changes for Palace?
That was underlined when they battered West Ham 5-2 back in April.
Palace also beat Lopetegui’s side 3-1 in pre-season. Although both teams were without a host of key players so not too much can be read into that.
With a new manager in situ and eight new signings – and counting – many are tipping West Ham to challenge for Europe.
Amid the high hopes, though, both West Ham and Palace started the new Premier League season with disappointing 2-1 defeats against Aston Villa and Brentford respectively.
Now they go head-to-head at Selhurst Park again and the Irons are looking to kickstart life under Lopetegui.
Good time to play Palace but new Hammer misses out?
Especially in the knowledge there is no Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew or Joachim Andersen for the hosts. Not to mention that Glasner has confirmed Matheus Franca, Will Hughes and Cheick Doucoure are also big doubts to face the Hammers.
There has been speculation of injuries in training for West Ham ahead of the London derby.
We predict Lopetegui makes four West Ham changes for Crystal Palace as a new star misses out.
New holding midfielder Guido Rodriguez was nowhere to be seen in West Ham training pictures ahead of the match.
That does not mean he won’t be playing of course. But it could be he is the player Lopetegui was referring to when he admitted there was an injury issue in training.
Michail Antonio has been a great servant for West Ham.
Could Lopetegui opt for 352?
But he was woeful against Villa and simply must be change number one with Fullkrug coming in for his first Hammers start.
If Rodriguez is indeed out then expect James Ward-Prowse to come into midfield in his place in change two.
Former Crystal Palace star Aaron Wan-Bissaka will surely be change number three after Vladimir Coufal’s struggles in pre-season and against Villa.
And the fourth change should see Jean-Clair Todibo come in for the first of the five starts he needs to make to turn his West Ham loan into an obligation.
Todibo will replace Konstantinos Mavropanos in the heart of defence.
There has been talk Lopetegui could opt to line up in a 352 at Selhurst:
If so then expect Kudus or Bowen to play as a second striker behind Fullkrug with Mavropanos keeping his place and Ward-Prowse sitting out.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Palace:
Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Fullkrug.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Palace if 352:
Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Fullkrug.
West Ham will be hoping for a much improved performance from the official for the match when he takes charge of the 3pm kick-off.
Rob Jones is the man in the middle for Crystal Palace vs West Ham.
He was accused by David Moyes of helping Newcastle beat West Ham the last time he officiated a Hammers match back at the end of March.
The assistant referees for the game will be Ian Hussin and Neil Davies, the fourth official is Andy Davies and Paul Tierney heads up VAR alongside assistant Wade Smith.
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