WHZ View: Said Benrahma can expose struggling Palace star
West Ham welcome Crystal Palace to the London Stadium on Wednesday night and it could be the night we see the very best of Said Benrahma.
The Algerian showed what he is capable of at Elland Road with another impressive display in what was his first start for the Hammers.
It looks like he could be in line to start once again for David Moyes’ side, where he could find himself up against an out of sorts Nathaniel Clyne.
The former Liverpool man returned to Crystal Palace over the summer on a short-term deal until January.
However, following an injury to summer signing Nathan Ferguson, Clyne has been thrust into the first-team picture and has looked unconvincing at best.
Clyne has already made seven appearances in the Premier League this season and has probably been involved far more frequently than either himself or Hodgson expected at this stage.
As per WhoScored, Clyne has an average match rating of just 6.54 from those seven appearances.
Using WhoScored’s match ratings, his performance against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon was statistically his worse of the season so far, at just 6.34.
Clyne has looked a shadow of the player that we saw impress at both Southampton and Liverpool in recent years.
According to Wyscout, he lost the ball nine times inside his own half against Jose Mourinho’s men and only won 33% of his defensive duels.
Unfortunately for Clyne, he could come up against a player who is beginning to find his feet in the Premier League after several cameo performances off the bench.
The West Ham attacker completed 90% of his dribbles and made four progressive runs against Leeds last time out, as per Wyscout.
Clyne could have his work cut out for him on Wednesday night and the battle down the Palace right side could be a huge influence on the result.
A win for Moyes would take the Hammers six points clear of their London rivals and potentially into the top four of the Premier League if other results go their way.
In other West Ham news, Moyes’ men must stop Palace’s Eze after impressive Spurs display