“Unplayable” | Palace Olise Loss Gives Hammers Hope

West Ham will aim to bounce back from our opening-day defeat when we face Crystal Palace in a London derby this afternoon. The Hammers have undergone a significant transformation under new manager Julen Lopetegui, with the addition of several new signings.

Crystal Palace have lost key players, weakening their defence but the loss of Michael Olise is a heavy blow. The Bayer Munich winger ripped the West Ham defence to shreds last season and I’m quite sure that Emerson will be delighted he’s gone.

West Ham’s new signings could provide a spark but it remains to be seen whether Lopetegui will unleash Jean Clair Todibo and former Palace man Aaron Wan Bissaka from the start. The Hammers head coach was understandably cautious during the first Premier League game against Aston Villa last week but expect more involvement from the newbies against the Eagles this afternoon.

The Irons have a nearly full squad available for selection, with the inclusion of Edson Álvarez, who has recovered from a hamstring injury although he is unlikely to start.

While the recent performance against Aston Villa showed glimpses of promise, there is still room for improvement. As the players continue to gel and adapt to each other, the team’s performance is expected to improve.