Team news v Crystal Palace: Zabaleta and Roberto start, Lanzini and Anderson back

Pablo Zabaleta starts v Crystal Palace

 

Goalkeeper Roberto and defender Pablo Zabaleta have been named in West Ham United’s starting XI for today’s Premier League match with Crystal Palace.

The returning Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini both make the bench.

Having won the last fixture, away to Southampton 12 days ago, the Irons and manager Manuel Pellegrini has been required to make two chances to his side for the Boxing Day fixture at Selhurst Park. 

With Ryan Fredericks missing out due to suspension, having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, Zabaleta is chosen at right-back and starts his third Premier League match of the campaign. 

Spaniard Roberto is named in-between the sticks, with Lukasz Fabianski and David Martin both ruled out after suffering hip injuries, while 19-year-old goalkeeper Joseph Anang is named in the first Premier League squad of his career. 

Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller start up front together again after the duo impressed in the victory over the Saints last time out, and the two forwards will be supported by captain Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Robert Snodgrass and Pablo Fornals in midfielder. 

Aaron Cresswell, Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna will join Zabaleta in the defensive line this afternoon. 

Among the seven substitutes are Lanzini and Felipe Anderson. Lanzini returns after a five-game absence due to a shoulder injury, while Felipe Anderson missed out at Southampton through illness. 

The pair, and shot-stopper Anang, are joined by Issa Diop, Arthur Masuaku, Carlos Sanchez and Albian Ajeti as replacements.

West Ham United: Roberto, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Snodgrass, Rice, Noble (c), Fornals, Antonio, Haller
Subs: Anang, Diop, Masuaku, Sanchez, Lanzini, F.Anderson, Ajeti

Crystal Palace: Guaita; Kelly, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Kouyate, McArthur, Milivojevic (c); Meyer, Zaha, Ayew
Subs: Hennessey, Wickham, McCarthy, Camarasa, Woods, Pierrick, Riedewald