West Ham vs Crystal Palace Preview
- Draw
- Both teams to score
West Ham United host Crystal Palace at the London Stadium in a fixture where both teams will look to build on their impressive midweek victories.
Graham Potter’s side are aiming to achieve consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since March, while Palace hope to extend their excellent away form.
West Ham: Momentum Under Potter
Graham Potter secured his first victory as West Ham manager with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Fulham in midweek. That result brought relief to the east London side, who are now looking to claim back-to-back league wins for the first time in nearly a year.
West Ham have a strong record in this fixture, scoring in their last 21 Premier League games against Crystal Palace—a club record against a single opponent.
A win here would not only boost morale but also see the Hammers complete a league double over Palace for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
Tomáš Souček, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture, will be key, especially given his impressive record against the Eagles.
Key Player to Watch
Tomáš Souček: With five league goals this season, the midfielder thrives against Palace, having scored four times in past meetings, including the decider in their August clash.
Crystal Palace: Resilient on the Road
Crystal Palace continue to thrive under Oliver Glasner, extending their unbeaten away run to six matches with a 2-0 win over Leicester City in midweek. This is their longest such streak in the top flight since 1992, and they will arrive at the London Stadium full of confidence.
Palace are unbeaten in their last five Premier League visits to West Ham (W2, D3), often demonstrating resilience by coming from behind to earn points.
Their solid defensive organisation, coupled with Marc Guéhi’s aerial threat from set-pieces, makes them a formidable opponent.
Key Player to Watch
Marc Guéhi: The Palace captain scored his sixth Premier League goal against Leicester, with five of those strikes coming away from home and all via set-pieces.
Head-to-Head Record
- West Ham have scored in their last 21 Premier League games against Crystal Palace, their longest scoring streak against any opponent.
- Palace are unbeaten in their last five away league matches against West Ham (W2, D3).
- The reverse fixture earlier this season ended 2-0 in West Ham’s favour at Selhurst Park.
Tactical Insights and Key Battles
Midfield Showdown
The midfield battle will be pivotal, with West Ham’s dynamic duo of Souček and Paqueta going up against Palace’s defensively solid pairing of Doucouré and Lerma. Palace will look to disrupt West Ham’s creative flow and exploit turnovers.
Set-Piece Specialists
Both teams are potent from set-pieces. Souček and Guéhi are major threats, and the delivery of Ward-Prowse and Eze could decide key moments in the game.
West Ham’s Creativity vs Palace’s Organisation
West Ham will rely on the creativity of Paquetá and Kudus to break down Palace’s well-drilled defence. Conversely, the visitors’ counter attacking threat, led by Eze and Mateta, could exploit any defensive lapses from the hosts.
Prediction: A Tight Encounter
Both teams come into this match with momentum, making it a tough fixture to call. While West Ham’s scoring streak against Palace is formidable, the Eagles’ resilience on the road and strong defensive record could earn them a hard-fought point.
Predicted Score: West Ham 1-1 Crystal Palace
Final Thoughts
This match promises to be an engaging contest between two sides looking to solidify their league positions. With West Ham aiming for a resurgence under Potter and Palace thriving on the road, fans can expect a closely fought encounter at the London Stadium.
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West Ham v Crystal Palace, 2024/25 | Premier League