Graham Potter was keen to highlight Lucas Paqueta's importance to West Ham ahead of their home game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Paqueta has scored in both of Potter's first two matches in charge of the Hammers, finding the net against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and the Premier League win over Fulham.

And the West Ham boss is hopeful the Brazil international will play a key role for him.

"I think he’s the type of player who needs to feel how important he is to the team," said Potter.

"He has to have that responsibility himself because he's very important for us, and how he acts and conducts himself is really important for the team.

"I can only comment on what I've seen, and I think he's been fantastic in his last two games. His work rate, and what he does for the team, has been of a really high level. As a result of that, he's got his reward, with goals in both games.

"I think he's the kind of player who you don't have to pin down to one specific role. He can do lots of different things, because he's that talented and has real quality."

Potter's opposite number Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, appeared to take aim at Chelsea after they recalled Trevoh Chalobah from a season-long loan with the Eagles.

"Trevoh had a great time with us," the Palace boss said. "When you make a loan deal, it is usually win-win for everyone.

"But now, Chelsea are the biggest winners because they get a player back who scored three goals, and is in much better shape than when he arrived.

"I want to say thanks to Trevoh for his professionalism and for what he invested. He is a very good player and an even better human. We had a great time together, and I wish him all the best at Chelsea."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham – Lucas Paqueta

Paqueta has scored goals in both of West Ham's matches since Potter took over as head coach last week.

That brings his tally to five in all competitions this season, and four in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace – Jean-Phillippe Mateta

Mateta is Palace's top scorer in the league this season with six goals, most recently netting in their 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Wednesday.

He has scored nine in all competitions and comes into this match having netted in back-to-back games.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Both of these teams are separated by just two places and two points in the Premier League table, with West Ham 13th on 26 points and Palace 15th on 24.

West Ham have taken 14 points from their 11 home matches this season (won four, drawn two, lost five). Palace, meanwhile, have taken 13 points from their 10 away games (won three, drawn four, lost three).

The visitors are unbeaten in their last five Premier League visits to the London Stadium (won two, drawn three), only having a longer undefeated away run at Tottenham in the top flight (seven between 1990 and 2004).

However, Palace have won just one of their last 22 away London derby matches in the Premier League (drawn 11, lost 10), and are winless in 13 (drawn six, lost seven) since a 2-1 win at West Ham in November 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

West Ham – 38.3%

Draw – 26.7%

Crystal Palace – 35%