Palace travel to a West Ham side ready to steamroll whoever stands before them. Here's Rob with three areas Palace will be focusing on. 

While the focus is on Antonio's goals, it is Benrahma who Palace should Fear the Most

Adjusting to the Premier League is no easy feat, as Said Benrahma will attest. His loan move, which West Ham later made permanent, took significant adjustment as the winger disappointed with a lack of goals or significant contributions, scoring just one goal in 30 league appearances for the club.

But a positive pre-season for the Hammers has seen the Algerian 26-year-old hit the ground running, with a return of two goals already this season. An intelligent runner with plenty of skill, Benrahma is rated by WhoScored.com as very strong at dribbling and strong in five other areas including through balls, key passes and finishing. 

Benrahma's greatest threat comes from when he cuts inside and shoots from distance, meaning that Joel Ward (or Nathaniel Clyne should he be fit) will have their work cut out to keep him under control. While West Ham have plenty of other attacking threats, with Palace's apparent weakness in wide areas, the concern will be that Benrahma gets too much time on the ball and space to run into. 

Palace must find Ruthlessness to Win 

Panic hasn't quite set in among the Palace fanbase but there is certainly tension, and the defeat to Watford in Tuesday's EFL Cup tie won't have improved matters. 

Palace were wasteful. Whether it was chances missed by Jean-Philippe Mateta or Christian Benteke, the club's strikers have to show a more ruthless and clinical streak to have any hope of winning games. 

Mateta especially was guilty of some poor decision-making and, for the clearance off the line by William Troost-Ekong, could be accused of lacking bravery. On at least one occasion a cross to either Jordan Ayew or Conor Gallagher would have been better suited.

Additionally, Wilfried Zaha needs to focus on the things he can control rather than the referees and opponents he can't. As Patrick Vieria has said, Zaha is a package and it comes with that passion -- but we know that he has the ability to turn that frustration into a positive contribution. 

Vieira has made it clear that Palace need attacking reinforcements, but his frustration will still lie with some of the poor finishing and execution exhibited by the players he has available to him. 

West Ham, and Michail Antonio especially, have shown how to do it. Perhaps Palace's strikers should watch clips of the former Tooting & Mitcham striker for inspiration?

Midfield pivot is key for Palace, whether it's Luka Milivojevic or Will Hughes

It has become clear that, as part of Vieira’s plan, the need for a deep-lying midfield playmaker is a growing necessity. After a disappointing performance from Jairo Riedewald against Chelsea (with the caveat that it was Chelsea) it seems that the manager has determined that the Dutchman doesn’t suit that role. 

Palace need a player capable of taking the ball in that area in front of the goalkeeper — essentially providing him with a third short pass option — and for that player to be comfortable under moderate pressure while also capable of finding a pass. If you are aiming to break the oppositions press, a player who has some mettle and an ability to release the ball quickly is crucial. 

Milivojevic has excelled when his role has been to play as a defensive shield with diminished responsibility for attacking build-up play. He can win the ball and move it to players with greater creative spirit. 

Hughes, who at the time of writing hasn't yet signed but appears to be close, appears to be similar. He’s not a creative force but in that pivot role, he’s got all the qualities and strengths required to be a key part in the team. 

While another couple of attacking options are needed, with Milivojevic unavailable for much of pre-season, it became abundantly clear that Paace lacked that kind of presence, too. Against West Ham's impressive midfield unit, that composure is going to be even more necessary.