Pundit Paul Merson has likened West Ham to popular chocolate treat as he predicts the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
West Ham can actually go sixth in the Premier League table with a win at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
After Liverpool won the EFL Cup, seventh will now be rewarded with a Europa Conference League spot if Man City win the FA Cup.
So the Hammers are still very much in the hunt for a fourth successive European qualification.
But David Moyes knows victory at Crystal Palace will be vital given the club’s remaining fixtures.
West Ham have Liverpool, Chelsea, Luton and Man City to play after the match against the Eagles.
Given that teams in around the Hammers will have a number of games in hand, three wins will be needed to stand a chance of a top seven spot.
West Ham still in European mix
Moyes and Oliver Glasner will renew rivalries when West Ham take on Palace.
West Ham’s manager famously locked horns with the new Palace boss in the Europa League two years ago.
Glasner came out on top back then, leading Eintracht Frankfurt to victories in both legs of their semi-final clash before leading them to the trophy.
West Ham go to Palace somewhat ironically days after being knocked out of the Europa League by another German team – Bayer Leverkusen.
The Hammers gave everything in the quarter-final tie and looked completely spent at the London Stadium on Thursday night.
The two legs sandwiched a dismal 2-0 home defeat against Fulham as West Ham’s Jekyll and Hyde 2024 continues.
Glasner’s side meanwhile will be refreshed after a full week to prepare since their 1-0 win at Liverpool.
Pundit Paul Merson has been discussing the Crystal Palace vs West Ham match on Sportskeeda.
Merson likens West Ham to popular chocolate treat
And he has likened West Ham to a popular chocolate treat as he predicts the Crystal Palace clash.
Merson thinks West Ham’s inconsistency and European exertions will prove decisive.
“Crystal Palace were outstanding against Liverpool and got a statement result with their 1-0 win at Anfield last weekend,” Merson said.
“The Reds missed chance after chance after chance, but Palace’s front three caused them a handful of problems, particularly in the first half.
“West Ham’s focus will (have) be(en) on the second leg of their UEFA Europa League clash against Bayer Leverkusen. David Moyes’ side are a bag of Revels and will likely be knackered after their European engagements, so l’m going for a Palace win, 2-0.”
Life is like a bag of chocolates…
For those unfamiliar with Revels, They are bags of assorted chocolate covered treats and with each one you don’t know what you’re going to get. Hence Merson’s comparison.
West Ham welcome back Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri after suspension in Europe.
Alphonse Areola and Kalvin Phillips have also trained ahead of the game.
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Nayef Aguerd are doubts while Jarrod Bowen will be assessed after he took pain-killing injections in his back to face Leverkusen.
Palace have their own serious selection problems, though.
Glasner has confirmed he will definitely be without six players and possibly as many as nine for the visit of West Ham.