Crystal Palace v West Ham United
Premier League, Selhurst Park, Saturday 29 April 2023, 12.30pm BST
West Ham United cross the River Thames to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League's Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
The Irons will seek to bounce back after suffering their first defeat in four top-flight matches at home to Liverpool in midweek, while the Eagles went down for the first time since Roy Hodgson's return at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday evening.
Wednesday's London Stadium reverse was just West Ham's second defeat in eleven matches in all competitions and AFC Bournemouth's win at Southampton on Thursday saw the Hammers drop to 15th in the table, with 34 points from 32 games played.
However, victory in south London on Saturday would see David Moyes' side rise to 12th, above Palace, Wolves and Bournemouth.
Tickets...
The first 90 per cent of tickets sold out to Bondholders and Season Ticket Holders with 46+ Points. The remaining 10 per cent (268 tickets) were then made available via a ballot process to Season Ticket Holders who had yet to purchase for this fixture. This ballot closed at 12pm on Wednesday 12 April.
Tickets for the sold out fixtures with Manchester United and Leeds United are available on the Ticket Exchange, with Season Ticket Holders who cannot attend this fixture relisting their seats for other supporters to buy. Click here to check availability or relist.
Travel...
South London is a nightmare to drive around and parking in the vicinity of Selhurst Park is also extremely limited, so let the train take the strain.
The nearest stations are Selhurst, Thornton Heath or Norwood Junction, all of which are served by London Victoria services and are within 10-15 minutes’ walk of the ground. Both Thornton Heath and Norwood Junction are also served by trains from London Bridge.
London Overground services, which interchange with London Underground Jubilee line services at Canada Water and Elizabeth, District and Hammersmith and City line services at Whitechapel, also serve Norwood Junction.
How to Follow...
Saturday's game will be broadcast live by BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate in the UK, and will be shown across the world by the Premier League's international broadcast partners.
You can listen to commentary in the UK on BBC Radio London 94.9FM and worldwide on whufc.com and our official app.
You can also follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app and across our social media channels. We will also have highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle.
Team News...
West Ham United boss David Moyes was taking a check on his squad after another busy three-game week last week.
One player who will definitely miss out, however, is striker Gianluca Scamacca, who has undergone surgery on his knee issue.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is hoping to welcome back forward Wilfried Zaha from a groin injury, while full-back Nathaniel Clyne is also set to return from a knee problem. Centre-back Joachim Andersen could be fit after being withdrawn at half-time during the midweek defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Opposition...
Crystal Palace went back to the future in March, when 75-year-old Roy Hodgson returned to Selhurst Park for a second spell as manager.
The vastly experienced former England boss previously spent four seasons with the Eagles between 2017-21. He then departed, but did not retire, and is now back in the dugout.
The reason is that Palace went on a 13-match winless run at the start of the calendar year that saw Hodgson's successor - and now predecessor - Patrick Vieira leave Selhurst Park.
Palace finished 12th last season, with 48 points, and there still a possibility that the south Londoners can match those two achievements this term.
Overall, Palace's highest-ever top-flight finish was in 1990/91, when they finished third under Steve Coppell, a year after they were beaten by Manchester United in a replay in their first-ever FA Cup final. The Eagles reached the FA Cup final again in 2016, when the Red Devils defeated them in extra-time.
Premier League-wise, Palace's best finish came in 2014/15, when they came tenth, despite replacing Neil Warnock with their former midfielder and ex-Hammers manager Alan Pardew midway through the campaign.
Previous Meetings...
West Ham United have enjoyed our trips to Selhurst Park in recent seasons.
In fact, we have tasted defeat at Crystal Palace just once in our last eight visits, winning five and drawing two.
Last season, on New Year's Day 2022, Manuel Lanzini scored twice and Michail Antonio once to put the Hammers into a 3-0 lead before late goals from Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise set up a nervy final few minutes, but the Irons held on to win 3-2.
In 2020/21, Tomáš Souček scored twice and Craig Dawson netted a towering header as the Irons also scored a 3-2 victory that was more comfortable than the final scoreline suggests.
We also secured Premier League wins at Selhurst Park in October 2016, when Lanzini also netted the only goal, October 2015, when Dimitri Payet was at his brilliant best in a 3-1 victory, and August 2014, when Carlton Cole was among the scorers in a 3-1 success.
Our biggest-ever League win at Selhurst Park was the 3-0 victory we achieved in October 1971, when debutant Ade Coker was on the scoresheet alongside Clyde Best and Billy Bonds.
Match Officials...
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistant Referees: Scott Ledger & Derek Eaton
Fourth Official: Andy Madley
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes
Craig Pawson takes charge of a West Ham United fixture for the third time this season on Saturday.
The 44-year-old was born in Sheffield and is affiliated to the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association.
After starting his career as a 14-year-old in his native South Yorkshire, Pawson kicked-off his Football League career as an assistant referee before being promoted to the Football League referee’s list on a permanent basis in 2008.
He took charge of the 2012 League Two Play-Off final between Crewe Alexandra and Cheltenham Town before being appointed to the Select Group of Premier League officials the following year.
In 2015, he was added to the FIFA International Referees List and he has since refereed a host of UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches.
He took charge of the first Premier League fixture at London Stadium, a 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth in August 2016, and the 8-0 EFL Cup win over Macclesfield Town in August 2018.
In all, Pawson has refereed West Ham United on 20 occasions, the first of which was a 1-1 Championship draw at Bristol City in April 2012.
