Nigerian duo of Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses lead West Ham United as they host Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground in a must win tie.
The hosts have a real chance of finishing in the top four this season, while Palace are in desperate need of three points to put a stop to their slide down the table.
Moses displayed a superlative form in Nigeria’s double header AFCON 2017 qualifying tie against Pharaohs of Egypt and he was expected to replicate that form today in the colours of West Ham.
He is likely to start from the bench.
While Moses was on national team’s duty, Emenike remained at the club due to a self imposed exile from international scene.
Slaven Bilic’s side are unbeaten in five in the league and almost reeled off a four-game winning streak before the international break.
They would be sitting fourth now had Chelsea not won a penalty – that Bilic slammed after the match – which earned the Blues a 2-2 draw.
Still, fifth place and just a point behind Manchester City heading into the final eight games of the season is impressive West Ham might even have loftier ambitions with Arsenal just five points better off in third.
Alan Pardew’s Palace sat fifth in the Premier League at the end of 2015, but since then they have dropped to 16th due to a woeful run of form.
They are the only side in the top four tiers yet to win in 2016 and have picked up just two points since the turn of the year.
Last time out they were edged out at home by surprise league leaders Leicester, making it 13 without a win in the league and just nine goals in that time.
The gap to the bottom three is still seven points and Palace do have a game in hand on Norwich below them, but nerves will be jangling in South London should the slide continue with Norwich, Newcastle United and Sunderland all improving a little of late.
Their form in the league has been shocking in 2016, but Palace are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in over 20 years this season and face Watford in what will be considered a winnable semi later this month.
West Ham possible starting lineup: Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Antonio, Lanzini, Payet, Sakho.
Palace possible starting lineup: Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare, Cabaye, Ledley, Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie, Adebayor.