West Ham Look to Continue Survival Surge Against Crystal Palace
West Ham United travel to Crystal Palace this Monday, aiming to build on the momentum that has finally seen them climb out of the Premier League relegation zone. Following a dominant 4-0 victory over Wolves—fueled by braces from Kostas Mavropanos and Taty Castellanos—the Hammers have moved ahead of Tottenham in the standings, marking a significant turnaround under manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
Tactical Shifts and Team News
Nuno’s influence has become increasingly apparent since the start of 2026, with the team looking far more cohesive than they did at the end of last year. For the trip to Selhurst Park, the Portuguese manager is expected to make one key adjustment to his starting lineup:
- Defensive Reinforcement: Aaron Wan-Bissaka is tipped to return at right-back, replacing Kyle Walker-Peters. Having missed recent matches due to international commitments with DR Congo, Wan-Bissaka’s defensive reliability is seen as crucial against his former club.
- Attacking Stability: Taty Castellanos is expected to retain his starting spot over the fit-again Callum Wilson after his two-goal performance against Wolves.
- Injury Boost: Fans will be encouraged by Crysencio Summerville’s return to full fitness, while Pablo Felipe remains a likely starter after an energetic display in the previous match.
High Stakes in South London
The Monday night fixture allows West Ham to respond to the results of their relegation rivals, specifically Tottenham. While the Hammers are fighting for survival, Crystal Palace may have their focus split; the Eagles recently secured a spot in the Europa Conference League semi-finals after defeating Fiorentina.
If West Ham can maintain their current form, they hope to secure safety well before a potentially high-stakes final-day meeting with Leeds United. For now, the objective is clear: capitalize on Palace’s busy schedule and extend the gap between themselves and the bottom three.
