West Ham head to Crystal Palace on Saturday in search of their first win under Julen Lopetegui and their hopes have been boosted.
West Ham have been one of the most active clubs in the summer window with eight signings.
Crystal Palace have been busy too, but their business has been offset by the loss of Michael Olise.
The French star has been a thorn in West Ham’s side since joining Palace bagging three goals and three assists in five games against them.
So the Hammers will be grateful he is now at Bayern Munich when they go to Selhurst Park this weekend.
West Ham and Crystal Palace have been tipped to do well this season.
Crystal Palace based on the fact they were one of the form teams at the end of last season under new boss Oliver Glasner.
That was of course apparent to West Ham when they were battered 5-2 by the Eagles back in April.
Indifferent starts for West Ham and Palace
That defeat – off the back of a number of other ugly hidings last season and some dour football – was one of the final nails in the coffin for David Moyes at West Ham.
The Scot has been replaced by Spaniard Julen Lopetegui. And after eight impressive signings – and counting – many are tipping West Ham to challenge for Europe.
With that comes raised expectation and pressure. Not only to get results by play a better brand of football than under Moyes.
Glasner has proved that is possible at Palace. He had the Eagles playing some excellent football just weeks after taking over from Roy Hodgson.
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.
Teams are still finding their way this early in the campaign.
But Lopetegui’s hopes of a first West Ham win at Crystal Palace have been boosted by an imminent deal.
Lopetegui’s hopes of first win boosted by imminent deal
Another player who always seems to have a good game against the Hammers is Palace fan favourite Joachim Andersen.
Well there’s great news for Lopetegui and West Ham.
Because overnight The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed Palace have agreed to sell big Dane Andersen to Fulham for £30m.
Andersen was at Fulham on loan from Lyon previously and became a crowd favourite.
Now he will return in a move for the same price West Ham have pledged to pay for Jean-Clair Todibo.
Fullkrug will be licking his lips about facing Palace
It means new West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug will be licking his lips ahead of the clash.
And it could get better still for the Irons.
Because speculation continues to swirl over the future of Crystal Palace’s star centre-back Marc Guehi – one of the stars of the Euros.
After disappointing when he made a surprise start against Villa, Michail Antonio is expected to be dropped for the trip to south London.
Especially after Fullkrug spoke out to make it clear he’s not at West Ham to be on the bench.
Meanwhile West Ham continue their attempts to sign Carlos Soler from PSG.
That deal is expected to go through as soon as the Hammers are able to offload Kurt Zouma or other players deemed surplus to requirements.
It’s not all positive news for West Ham, though.
The Hammers will be furious when they hear who has been selected as referee for the game against Crystal Palace.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
