It’s safe to say that there is a certain element of shock among our resident Palace fans, due to Sam Allardyce’s failure to win in his first four games in charge of the London club.
It’s fair to say that if it’s not for the lack of trying that Big Sam hasn’t picked up a win.
In his first three Premier League games, his Palace side has been thwarted by late goals, freak scorpion kicks and turned down penalty appeals resulting in the Eagles sitting a point of the drop.
Despite all this, our landlord predicts the former England boss to keep Palace up this season and a trip to the London Stadium to play West Ham could result in a positive result for the Eagles, especially as it seems West Ham haven’t yet adjusted to their new home.
That being said, the last meeting between this sides at Selhurst Park in October was decided by Hammers’ midfielder, Manuel Lanzini in a 1-0 win for the visitors.
Christian Benteke will be looking to make amends this time around as he missed a penalty in the same fixture, though he is a slight doubt with a shoulder injury.
Big Sam will be praying for the fitness of Benteke in time for Saturday, but will trust this XI to get the job done…
GK: Wayne Hennessey
A knock kept Hennessey out in the FA Cup clash with Bolton but our landlord expects him to retain the gloves this weekend.
RB: Martin Kelly
The former Liverpool man has found himself as the regular right back so far this campaign.
CB: James Tomkins
Having left West Ham for a £10million fee in the summer, Tomkins will line up against his former club at their new home.
CB: Damien Delaney
With Scott Dann’s return from injury imminent, this could be Delaney’s last appearance before making way for the Palace skipper.
LB: Joel Ward
Ward has been deputising for Pape Souare since the Senegalese left back broke his thighbone in a car crash in September.
CM: Joe Ledley
The Welsh bearded wonder missed the first two games of the Allardyce regime but following a start against Swansea, Ledley should play at the London Stadium on Saturday.
CM: James McArthur
Following a calf injury, McArthur should return to firm up Palace’s midfield on Saturday.
RM: Jason Puncheon
Expect to see both Palace’s wingers cutting inside to take long range shots on Saturday, Puncheon should start on the right and use his favoured left foot to unleash some thunderbolts on the West Ham goal.
CAM: Yohan Cabaye
Vital to the Eagles’ attacking play, Cabaye will be used in a more advance role by Big Sam here to give Palace a more attacking edge.
LM: Andros Townsend
Like Puncehon, will look to start on the left and cut in on his right.
Our landlord believes Townsend to be Palace’s main goal threat should Christian Benteke not recover from injury.
ST: Loic Remy
With Christian Benteke potentially not fit enough to return, Big Sam may look to Remy to get at the shaky West Ham defence in what would be his first league start since joining from Chelsea in the summer.
