West Ham’s first game of October sees Manuel Pellegrini’s side square off against Crystal Palace at the London Stadium. The Hammers haven’t lost in the Premier League since their opening round loss to Man City and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games on Saturday evening against Roy Hodgson’s men.
The Eagles will be without suspended skipper Luka Milivojevic and injured defender Mamadou Sakho. They’ve also had a good start to the season and are only a point behind West Ham in the league standings.
For West Ham, most of the team pick themselves. The only questions in front of Pellegrini will be whether to start with Manuel Lanzini and Arthur Masuaku or continue with Pablo Fornals and Aaron Cresswell.
The referee for this game is Michael Oliver- Palace have won their last three league games under him. Oliver refereed six of the Eagles’ games last season, but only two for the Hammers (the win at home against Man Utd and the draw away at Leicester).
Here is a look at what major TV and media pundits have predicted for this Game Week 8 clash.
Mark Lawrenson: Lawro notes that both teams have done well but adds that West Ham, in particular “have impressed him”. Reckons that the home side’s attack is better than Palace’s, and has backed Manuel Pellegrini’s men to run out 2-0 winners.
Lawro’s celeb opponent for this weekend- legendary athlete Michael Johnson, has echoed the former’s prediction (2-0 to the Hammers)
Charlie Nicholas: Over at Sky, Nicholas says this is the “best West Ham side” he’s seen, and reckons they’ll take this clash 3-1, with Sebastien Haller to score at the London Stadium.
Stan Collymore: Another two goal winning prediction for the Hammers, and this one is from Stan Collymore, who’s backed the home side to score twice and keep a clean sheet.
Robbie Savage: Savage has backed West Ham to edge this clash 2-1.
Kevin Kilbane: Kilbane reckons this will be a draw- either a 0-0 or a 1-1, and says that Manuel Pellegrini and Roy Hodgson are both excellent managers and will have their sides set up in a manner that’s tough to break down.
Michael Owen: Owen has tipped the Hammers to emerge victorious here.
Summary of predictions
Lawro and celeb opponent: West Ham 2-0 Palace
Charlie Nicholas: West Ham 3-1 Palace
Collymore: West Ham 2-0 Palace
Savage: West Ham 2-1 Palace
Kilbane: 0-0 or 1-1 draw
Owen: West Ham to win
So, bar Kevin Kilbane, everyone reckons this is a game that the Hammers should win!
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