Crystal Palace vs West Ham Preview

• West Ham to win
• Antonio to score

Crystal Palace’s London Derby Challenge

Crystal Palace will face their second consecutive London derby to kick off the Premier League season, with manager Oliver Glasner keen to see his team improve following a 2-1 defeat to Brentford on the opening weekend.

The Austrian was left frustrated after Eberechi Eze’s free-kick was controversially disallowed, but he made it clear that there were “no excuses” for the loss.

This defeat ended a strong seven-match unbeaten run at the close of the previous campaign (W6, D1).

Selhurst Park: A Fortress for Palace?

Crystal Palace’s form at Selhurst Park has been impressive, with the team securing four consecutive home victories, starting with a dominant 5-2 win over West Ham.

Remarkably, the next three wins all came with clean sheets against teams that finished in the top eight of the league.

While Palace have never managed to string together five consecutive home wins in the Premier League era, a four-match unbeaten head-to-head run against West Ham (W3, D1) suggests that this could be the moment to make history.

West Ham’s Tough Away Test Under Julen Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui faces a daunting task in his first away game as West Ham’s manager, especially with the pressure mounting after a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa last week.

The Spaniard pointed out “confusion” among his players during the early stages of the match, which saw them concede within the first four minutes. This loss marked the second time in three seasons that West Ham has started their Premier League campaign with a defeat (D1).

Lopetegui may be granted some leniency as he works to integrate the club’s numerous high-profile summer signings.

However, one area that desperately needs improvement is West Ham’s away form. The Hammers ended the 2023/24 season with three consecutive multi-goal defeats on the road in the Premier League, conceding 13 goals in total, including five in a heavy loss to Crystal Palace.

Key Players to Watch

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace): After being controversially denied a goal last weekend, Eze will be eager to open his account in this match. He has a strong record in this fixture, having scored in the previous two seasons’ encounters, both of which ended in Palace victories and featured a total of seven goals.

Michail Antonio (West Ham): Facing intense competition to retain his place in the starting lineup, Michail Antonio should feel confident about his chances here. He has scored on his last three visits to Selhurst Park, making him a key player for the Hammers in this crucial away match.

Conclusion

This London derby promises to be a fiercely contested battle, with both Crystal Palace and West Ham eager to bounce back from opening weekend defeats.

Palace’s strong home form and historical success in this fixture could give them the edge, but West Ham will be determined to improve their away performances under new management. Expect a thrilling encounter with plenty of action as both teams fight for early season points.

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Crystal Palace v West Ham, 2024/25 | Premier League