This Saturday, West Ham will host Crystal Palace at the London Stadium as part of matchday 5 in the Premier League. Here’s an analysis of what to expect from this match.
Match Preview
West Ham is off to a challenging start this season, finding themselves in the relegation zone. They have secured just one win against Nottingham Forest, suffering three losses in the process. The team has shown the weakest defense in the league and has struggled at home.
Injury concerns are troubling the squad, with Soucek suspended and Luis Guilherme injured, affecting their midfield setup. The attack is often disconnected from the midfield, creating challenges in coordination. Given their current form, West Ham may struggle to put up much of a fight against a well-prepared opponent.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, remains unbeaten this season and has shown resilience with one win and three draws. Under Oliver Glasner’s management, they play a pragmatic style of football. Their defense is among the best in the Premier League, while their attackers can make a difference at crucial moments.
Despite missing key players like Nketiah, Sarr, and Edouard due to injuries, Crystal Palace has maintained their strong defensive performance, typically conceding only one goal per away match. Given their current form, they are seen as the favorites in this matchup.
Probable Line-ups
- West Ham: Hermansen, Kilman, Diouf, Mavropanos, Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Potts, Paqueta, Fernandes, Bowen, Summerville
- Crystal Palace: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Mitchell, Munoz, Guehi, Lerma, Hughes, Pino, Kamada, Mateta
Match Facts and Head-to-Head
- Crystal Palace is unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches.
- West Ham has not won in their last seven home games.
- Each of West Ham’s last six Premier League matches has featured at least three goals.
Prediction
Considering West Ham’s struggles and Crystal Palace’s strong performance, a reasonable bet would be on the visitors not losing. Their solid defense and attacking confidence suggest that Crystal Palace is likely to secure a positive result away. The suggested bet is on Crystal Palace with a (0) handicap at 1.76.