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?West Ham United’s unbeaten run in the Premier League will again be tested when Crystal Palace visit the London Stadium on Saturday.

The Hammers haven’t tasted defeat since their opening day loss to Manchester City, and they have picked up three wins and three draws in the six games which have followed, and you can guarantee Manuel Pellegrini won’t want to see that run come to an end on Saturday.

That form has seen them rise to fifth in the league table, ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and level on points with Arsenal. Not a bad start to the season.

However, Palace will likely prove to be a real threat to West Ham’s run of form. The Eagles are just one point behind in the table and have already seen off Manchester United this season.

They are unbeaten in their last two games, so Palace will come into this game feeling confident of picking up a good result.

It promises to be an exciting affair and, thanks to Opta, here are some stats and facts which you need to know before the game.

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Hopeful Hammers

When you look at the history between these two sides, it is ?West Ham who tend to come out on top.?

The Hammers are unbeaten in their last eight ?Premier League games against ?Palace (W4 D4), with their last loss coming in a 3-1 defeat in February 2015.

Palace don’t usually enjoy visiting the London Stadium, having taking just one point from their three Premier League games at the ground.

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But Palace Love a Road Trip

They might not have the best record at the London Stadium, but it’s safe to say that Palace love playing away from home.

Since December 22nd 2018 (when they beat ?Manchester City 3-2 away), Palace have won 25 points in Premier League away games – only City (36) and ?Liverpool (30) have won more points on the road in the competition during this period. Not bad company to keep.

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Mixed London Derby Form

West Ham have lost more Premier League London derbies than any other side (97), while only ?Fulham (19.5%) have a lower win rate in such games than Palace (22.7% – won 22 of 97). 

So, neither side have the greatest track record when it comes to local clashes, but the Hammers are actually on a fairly impressive run.

West Ham have won their last three home Premier League London derbies, last having a longer such run in the competition between February and December 1997 (5).

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Penalties on the Cards?

Since Palace returned the Premier League in 2013/14, no side has won more penalties than the Eagles in the competition (46).

Palace love a good penalty, so it’s a good job they’re going up against a side who don’t often give them away…is what West Ham fans wish they could say.

West Ham have given away the most penalties in that time (39). There has been a penalty awarded in three of the last four league meetings between these sides.

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Managerial Masterclass

The game may well come down to which manager gets the better of his counterpart, and history shows that Pellegrini should be confident.

Pellegrini has won all four of his home Premier League games against Palace by an aggregate score of 11-2. He has beaten a different boss every time (Tony Pulis, Neil Warnock, Alan Pardew and Roy Hodgson).?

Unfortunately, Hodgson cannot boast a similar record. He has never won an away Premier League match against West Ham in six attempts (W0 D2 L4), but both teams have managed to score in each games, so it certainly promises to be an exciting game.

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?The San Siro plays host to the biggest game in Europe this weekend as perfect Inter welcome reigning champions Juve for I Derby D’Italia.

This clash is not only huge for the present and future of the Serie A, but equally previous match ups have thrown up some classic viewing.

Here are six of the best to whet your appetite for this Sunday.

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Juventus 4-2 Inter (October, 1990)

This was a game for the football purists and was filled with legends who stamped their mark on so many clubs. Roberto Baggio, Andreas Brehme, Jurgen Klinsmann to name a few.

A breathless six-goal thriller which was the highlight of an otherwise disappointing season for Juventus. Baggio opened the scoring I Bianconeri after just two minutes and the goals didn’t stop there. 

In front of a packed out stadium, the crowd were entertained for the whole 90 minutes and Juventus secured a famous win over their famous foes. ?

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Juventus 1-0 Inter (April, 1998)

Not particularly memorable for footballing reasons but for the outrage in caused in its aftermath within the world of football and politics.

Alessandro Del Piero’s sole goal gave Juve the win but the controversy came when Inter weren’t given a penalty for a foul on Ronaldo. Italian Parliament erupted with Inter fans calling Juventus supporters and players cheats. The parliamentary session was suspended and several politicians were fined for their behaviour. 

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Juventus 1-1 Inter (November, 2007)

Memorable for being the first Derby d’Italia following the match-fixing scandal and Juventus’ relegation from Serie A.

The game, itself, wasn’t a footballing masterclass but the passion in the fans was second to none from both sets of fans. A Mauro Camoranesi goal lifted the Olimpico after Inter had dominated much of the game.

The Italian game had welcomed back one of its biggest teams after its darkest spell in recent history.?

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Juventus 2-1 Inter (December, 2009)

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Another game that isn’t particularly remembered for football but for what was happening off the pitch. However, what happened on the pitch reflected the hostility in the crowd.

There were fears of racist insults from Juve ultras towards Mario Balotelli before this top of the table clash. Inter’s team bus was pelted with eggs as it entered Turin and emotions spilled over onto the pitch too.

Inter manager José Mourinho was sent to the stands, there was a late red card for Felipe Melo and a clash between Italian teammates Gianluigi Buffon and Thiago Motta. A second half Marchisio goal gave the Old Lady three points to close the gap on Inter.?

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Inter 3-0 Juventus (March, 2016)

Inter and Juventus were drawn together in the 2015-2016 Coppa Italia, and the resulting games didn’t disappoint. The Turin club took a seemingly unassailable lead to Milan after a 3-0 win earlier in the year.

However, Inter fought back and won 3-0 on their home patch with a brace from Marcelo Brozovi? and another from Ivan Periši?. This forced penalties to determine who made it through to the final, and Juve eventually prevailed with Leonardo Bonucci scoring the winning penalty as it ended 5-3 on penalties.?

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Inter 2-3 Juventus (April 2018)

A red card, a late winner and five goals. The epitome of I Derby D’Italia happened at the end of the 2017-2018 season as the two famous clubs clashed in front of a packed San Siro.

The game looked as good as over after 15 minutes as Juve took the lead through Douglas Costa and Matias Vecino was sent off. However, two goals after half-time gave Inter a 2-1 lead going into the last five minutes.

But Juventus had other ideas as two late goals through a Škriniar own goal and a Higuaín winner claimed the three points for the white and La Vecchia Signora en route to their seventh league title in a row.?

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England’s disappointing post-World Cup form continued, as they were beaten 2-1 ?by Brazil at the Riverside Stadium.

England dominated the first half but were unable to break the deadlock. The Lionesses had the ball in the back of the net after Jodie Taylor met Beth Mead’s wonderful delivery, only for her celebrations to be cut short by the assistant referee’s flag. 

Mead then came close to opening the scoring herself. The Arsenal forward picked up Steph Houghton’s perfect cross field pass and showed great skill to worm her way past two Brazil defenders as she raced into the penalty area. However, she sent the ball just wide. 

Taylor spurned a further chance when clean through as more England opportunities went begging.  

Within five minutes of the second half getting underway, Brazil had the lead. Tamires sent Nikita Parris one way and then the other, and her floated cross was headed home by Debinha, Mary Earps fumbling the ball as it crawled over the line.

Debinha doubled her and Brazil’s tally after her shot from inside the penalty area flicked off Houghton, sending the ball over the outstretched hand of Earps.

England grabbed a lifeline with 10 minutes remaining. Houghton’s pinpoint cross from deep found Beth England, whose bullet header rocketed into the top corner for her first international goal. The Chelsea striker could have snatched an equaliser moments later, but her glancing header from a delightful Mead ball was too weak. 

As the clocked ticked down, Lucy Staniforth was denied by a fantastic save from Bárbara as Brazil held onto an excellent win.

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England

?Key Talking Point

England went into the fixture without a win in four games; their longest winless run since the 2013 European Championships.

Although the Lionesses had disappointed in their previous two post World Cup friendlies, this was the first time Phil Neville’s side had played on home turf since their semi-final showing in France. With 29,000 fans packed into the Riverside, the game had a celebratory, homecoming feel; the positivity generated by England’s World Cup performances had not been punctured by the lacklustre displays against Belgium and Norway. 

However, England were not at their best once more. Despite dominating large patches of the game and creating an assortment of chances, the Lionesses seemed to lack a cutting edge in the final third. England should have won this game based on their number of opportunities. But Brazil controlled the game for a 30 minute spell in the second half, and this was enough for them to leave with victory.

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Player Ratings

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??Newcastle may turn to Under-23s manager Neil Redfearn if Steve Bruce is removed from his position at St James’ Park. 

Bruce is under increasing pressure as Magpies boss, and the start of his Newcastle reign went from bad to worse as his team were battered 5-0 by an impressive Leicester last weekend.

Newcastle sit second bottom of the ?Premier League only above winless Watford, having won only once all season.

And now ?the Athletic’s Chris Waugh told fans that if Bruce can’t arrest the slide then Newcastle may turn to Under-23s coach Neil Redfearn as interim – although he emphasised that he would be surprised if that were the case.

Redfearn has experience managing in both the men’s and women’s game since his retirement in 2008, and most notably was at the helm of ?Leeds during the 2014/15 season. He is well liked by the hierarchy at Newcastle, but his Under-23’s team’s results do leave a bit to be desired.

He is well experienced as both a manager and a player, playing for 20 clubs in a career that spanned 26 years. Having managed in the Championship and Premier League 2, this might well be a step up for Redfearn and time would tell whether he would succeed at the highest level 

Bruce plays host to another manager who is struggling on Sunday as Newcastle play ?Manchester United at St James’ Park – with Ole Gunner Solskjaer in search of only his second win this season. Bruce, famously, played for the Red Devils and had a successful career there but he will be searching to beat his former team to relieve some of the pressure on him.

The Magpies will be desperate to get a result out of this game, and Bruce may pay with his job if they don’t manage. Manchester United may be the perfect opponent for Newcastle to perform, given that United have not won away from home in their last 11 games.

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Following an important win over Inter in the Champions League in midweek, Barcelona return to action in La Liga where they will be taking on Sevilla. 

La Blaugrana have made an underwhelming start to the new campaign, having already suffered two defeats and, as a result, currently find themselves fourth in the table. 

The last clash between the two in the league was a gripping one, with the score ending 4-2 in favour of Ernesto Valverde’s men on that occasion – a certain Lionel Messi popping up with a hat-trick to help see his team over the line. 

Here’s the Barca predicted starting XI for Sunday’s clash.

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Goalkeeper & Defenders

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (GK) – Although there is a growing dispute over Ter Stegen’s role in the Germany national team, there are no such issues when it comes to his role at his club. The shot-stopper has been in inspired form this season once again and will be looking to pick up a clean sheet in the final match before the international break. As a result of his fine form, the ‘keeper will have the chance to impress his national coach, with Joachim Low confirming that he will start his country’s match against Argentina. 

Sergi Roberto (RB) – Sergi Roberto fell down the pecking order under Valverde this season, with Nelson Semedo appearing to be the coach’s first choice. However, the injury to Jordi Alba has paved the way for Roberto to gain some valuable minutes. And the 27-year-old’s experience and reading of the game will be crucial in the upcoming clash with Sevilla. 

Gerard Pique (CB) – A fixture in the side. Pique is one of the best defenders of this generation and although ?there has been some friction between himself and the board of directors, it appears as though this is now past them. To that end, his role in the team cannot be understated and he will have to be at his best on Sunday evening. 

Jean-Clair Todibo (CB) – With Clement Lenglet getting sent off in the last game, and Samuel Umtiti still injured, Todibo could be set to make his second appearance of the season in La Liga. Sunday’s match is an opportunity for the 19-year-old to showcase his talent once more and prove that he is worthy of greater game time. 

Nelson Semedo (LB) – Summer signing Junior Firpo was the obvious choice to fill the void left by the injured Jordi Alba, but he is yet to fully settle at his new home. Valverde appears to trust Semedo more at this moment in time, despite the defender considering himself as a right-back. Nonetheless, Valverde won’t have to make a decision for the upcoming clash, as Junior has been ruled out. 

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Midfielders

Sergio Busquets (CM) – Some have questioned whether Busquets is able to influence a game as much as he once did, but there is no denying his continued importance to the squad. The 31-year-old is a leader in the dressing room and although he was replaced by Arturo Vidal in midweek, we expect him to retain his place in the team as La Blaugrana are sure to need his services in a crunch clash.

Frenkie de Jong (CM) – Frenkie de Jong has wasted no time whatsoever in settling into life at Barcelona, dictating the midfield with consummate ease. The 22-year-old has featured in every game for the Spanish giants this term and has even chipped in with a goal, reaffirming his importance to the team. 

Arthur (CM) – Arthur is creative and direct in his play, with his stats this term backing this up. Two goals and one assist from four appearances in La Liga is an impressive return for a central midfielder and Valverde will be hoping he can maintain this form throughout the season. 

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Forwards

Lionel Messi (RW) – One of the GOAT’s of the game. The Argentine proved his fitness in midweek and finally appears to be over his injury troubles, which will come as a huge relief to Valverde. To put it simply, if ?Messi is fit, he plays. He showcased his sheer magic in the win over Inter, helping spur his team on with his intricate ball control and precise passing. 

Antoine Griezmann (LW) – Griezmann has shown his quality sporadically this season, but fans are waiting to see the Frenchman put in more consistent displays. With Messi back from injury, there is a hope that the front three will be able to forge an understanding of each others games that will propel La Blaugrana to the title. 

Luis Suarez (ST) – ?Suarez has faced a lot of criticism this season, with the footballing world scrutinising his sub-par performances. However, the striker was anything but on Wednesday, bagging two world-class goals to rescue his side. He will be full of confidence and that spells trouble for Sevilla. 

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