The Dugout Discussion – West Ham v Crystal Palace

The weekend’s opening fixture sees West Ham entertain Crystal Palace in the Hammers’ second of four consecutive London derbies. Sam Allardyce’s side approach this match-up without a win in their last four matches and only one victory since Boxing Day. They’ll be pinning their hopes of three points on the form of players like Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho – the pair have both struck three goals in their last six appearances. Moreover, Fantasy managers will be looking for a revival in the fortunes of Stewart Downing: the 28% owned asset will be looking end a run of four consecutive blanks to stave off recent Fantasy Premier League sales.

Meanwhile, the visitors have thrived away from Selhurst Park of late – the Eagles are unbeaten in their last four matches on the road, winning the two most recent clashes against Leicester and Burnley, netting four goals in the process.

The team news finds Alan Pardew recall both Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie to his Palace starting lineup, dropping Dwight Gayle and Joe Ledley to the bench – Glenn Murray is preferred up front as the replacement for the injured Frazier Campbell. There’s also changes at the back with Pape Souare paying for his error in the defeat to Arsenal by dropping to the bench as Martin Kelly is handed a recall – Brede Hangeland also makes way as Damien Delaney returns. The Hammers are unchanged, with new signing Nene starting life on the bench.