Credit; Imago

Scott Mason

Fri 17 April 2026 13:40, UK

West Ham United will have added confidence after seeing the scenes in Florence after Crystal Palace’s European fixture.

The Hammers are in the battle for survival, and every game from now on must be treated as a cup final.

While Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are out of the relegation zone, plenty can change in the final few weeks of the season.

Full focus will certainly be on their remaining games, but the same may not be said about this matchweek’s opponents.

Ahead of West Ham’s trip to Selhurst Park, the Crystal Palace players have prepared in quite a counterproductive way after their match versus Fiorentina.

Crystal Palace prepare for West Ham with night out in Italy

There may have been a few sore heads in the Crystal Palace camp after they secured their place in the UEFA Conference League semi-final.

The Eagles defeated Fiorentina over two legs, and after progressing in Italy, Glasner decided to treat his players.

Speaking after the match, the Crystal Palace head coach confirmed he had given permission for his players to head on a night out in Florence.

In the subsequent hours after the game, members of the squad were spotted in the streets.

While it is a nice moment for Crystal Palace, Nuno will be looking on with a grin.

From Glasner’s decision, it is clear that European success is the primary focus, as he neglected the chance for his players to get a proper recovery to face the Hammers.

Confidence in the Irons camp must certainly be high at the moment after these antics, and the Austrian may opt to heavily rotate on Monday.

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West Ham fans can expect a goal fest at Selhurst Park

In each of the last five games at Selhurst Park between Crystal Palace and West Ham, the Irons have scored two goals in all of those fixtures.

Now, with potential for focus to be away from facing the Hammers, Nuno’s side could have a good chance to do so for a sixth consecutive time.

Jean-Phillipe Mateta will prove an issue with his record against West Ham, a major fear facing the Hammers.

But West Ham are not without their own dangermen who can cause problems, so hopefully, Monday night’s clash can be another positive step to staying up.