Nigerian midfielder, Victor Moses, will be in the mx as West Ham visits Crystal Palace at the Selhurst Park on Saturday (today).
Both sides have made impressive starts to the season.
Moses, who excused himself from national duties for the Super Eagles, is expected to make the starting line up as both clubs will be looking to prove that they can continue to achieve success close to the top half of the table as two of the top-six teams prepare to meet.
An international break could not have arrived at a worse time for Alan Pardew and his players, after they bounced back from successive defeats to claim two wins from two prior, to the busy week of Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Losses to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur may not have been the most surprising results during those weekends, but they were defeats which threatened to halt the momentum gained by the Eagles in the early stages of what is already proving to be an impressive campaign.
Since the game against Spurs, Palace have thrashed Charlton Athletic in the League Cup before battling to wins over Watford and West Bromwich Albion, but a difficult finish to October will push the squad to the limit as the club looks to prove that it is capable of challenging for European qualification.
Before the start of November, Pardew’s side will take on West Ham, high-flying Leicester City and Manchester United, while also meeting Man City in the fourth round of the League Cup. Sitting three points off top spot after eight games may be an even better start than a confident Pardew was expecting, but he will be fully aware that one poor display could begin a run of disappointing results which would allow the teams around them to pull clear.
An international break could not have arrived at a worse time for Alan Pardew and his players, after they bounced back from successive defeats to claim two wins from two prior, to the busy week of Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Losses to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur may not have been the most surprising results during those weekends, but they were defeats which threatened to halt the momentum gained by the Eagles in the early stages of what is already proving to be an impressive campaign.
Since the game against Spurs, Palace have thrashed Charlton Athletic in the League Cup before battling to wins over Watford and West Bromwich Albion, but a difficult finish to October will push the squad to the limit as the club looks to prove that it is capable of challenging for European qualification.
Before the start of November, Pardew’s side will take on West Ham, high-flying Leicester City and Manchester United, while also meeting Man City in the fourth round of the League Cup. Sitting three points off top spot after eight games may be an even better start than a confident Pardew was expecting, but he will be fully aware that one poor display could begin a run of disappointing results which would allow the teams around them to pull clear.
However, the signs this season are that Palace are strong enough for most challenges, and a productive transfer window appears to have given them the strength in depth to rotate when needed throughout the campaign.
Pardew will know that former club West Ham have similar ambitions, and a comfortable win would be another indication that the Eagles are ready to prove they are genuine top-six contenders.
Pardew will know that former club West Ham have similar ambitions, and a comfortable win would be another indication that the Eagles are ready to prove they are genuine top-six contenders.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup: Hennessey, Kelly, Hangeland, Dann, Souare, Cabaye, McArthur, Puncheon, Bolasie, Zaha, Gayle.
West Ham possible starting lineup: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Moses, Zarate, Payet, Sakho.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
