Crystal Palace vs West Ham United Predictions

Crystal Palace vs West Ham United predictions for Sunday’s Premier League tie. Crystal Palace, after beating Liverpool at home, faces West Ham United at Selhurst Park, adding momentum to this London derby. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Premier League | Gameweek 34 – Apr 21, 2024 at 3pm UK at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace vs West Ham United Predictions

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Tactical Tussle: Crystal Palace Aims to Capitalise on Home Advantage Against Transitional West Ham

In a Premier League season marred by unpredictability, Crystal Palace’s recent shock victory over Liverpool epitomises the essence of football’s unpredictability. This weekend, they host a beleaguered West Ham United at Selhurst Park, a team still licking their wounds after a painful Europa League exit. This match presents not just a clash of clubs but also of contrasting tactical philosophies and recent forms.

Match Context and Tactical Dynamics

Crystal Palace, under the stewardship of Oliver Glasner, appears rejuvenated, orchestrating a commendable win at Anfield that has provided a substantial buffer from the relegation fray. Glasner’s strategy has been noticeably direct, favouring quick transitions and solid defensive setups that exploit the pace and dribbling prowess of players like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. The team’s ability to score consistently at Selhurst Park adds a layer of confidence heading into this match.

West Ham, guided by David Moyes, presents a curious case. Despite boasting a squad capable of high-quality football, their performances have been inconsistent. The Irons’ recent Premier League form has been underwhelming, compounded by their European exertions that have visibly drained the team physically and mentally. Their tactical approach in the league has often revolved around utilising the wide areas, with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta pivotal in creating chances. However, their defensive vulnerabilities, especially in the absence of key personnel like Nayef Aguerd, have been a significant Achilles heel.

Strategic Pros and Cons

Crystal Palace’s strategy under Glasner has been markedly proactive, with a clear emphasis on maintaining defensive solidity while being ruthless on the counter. This approach has mostly served them well, especially against top-tier teams that tend to dominate possession. However, their reluctance to control games through sustained possession might invite pressure from a West Ham side desperate to return to winning ways.

Conversely, Moyes’ West Ham has struggled to balance their attacking intent with defensive stability. Their offensive play, while occasionally sparkling, lacks consistency and the clinical edge needed in tight games. The team’s dependence on moments of individual brilliance rather than systematic attacking patterns is a tactical shortcoming that Moyes has yet to rectify effectively.

Key Player Duels

The match could likely be decided in midfield, where the duels between Palace’s Cheick Doucoure and West Ham’s Tomas Soucek will be crucial. Both players are instrumental in breaking up play and initiating attacks, making their encounter potentially game-defining. Additionally, the battle between Eze and West Ham’s full-backs could tilt the game, given Eze’s current form and confidence.

Predictions and Betting Angles

Best Bet: Crystal Palace to Win and Over 2.5 Goals The rationale for anticipating both a Crystal Palace win and over 2.5 goals in this fixture is underpinned by the current forms and defensive records of both teams. Crystal Palace have been prolific at Selhurst Park, scoring in 10 of their last 11 Premier League home matches. Their offensive consistency at home, coupled with their recent morale-boosting victory at Anfield, positions them favourably to exploit West Ham’s defensive weaknesses.

Conversely, West Ham’s defensive shortcomings have been particularly pronounced in their away games, where they have conceded eight goals in their last three Premier League outings. As West Ham grapples with the need to recover from their European exit and regain form in the Premier League, their defensive frailties are likely to be further exposed. Given the circumstances, a Crystal Palace victory looks likely, with the match expected to feature at least three goals due to the attacking intentions and vulnerabilities of both sides.

Correct Score: Crystal Palace 2-1 West Ham United This correct score prediction aligns with the expectation of a relatively high-scoring match and the current dynamics of both teams. Crystal Palace’s ability to score at home, combined with West Ham’s defensive issues—exacerbated by injuries and fatigue from their European campaigns—suggests that the Eagles might have the upper hand.

West Ham, despite their vulnerabilities, have demonstrated the capability to score away from home. Thus, a 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace reflects the potential for both teams to score, but with Palace leveraging their home advantage to secure all three points.

Goalscorer Prediction: Eberechi Eze to Score Eberechi Eze has been a pivotal figure for Crystal Palace this season, particularly in crucial moments. His goal-scoring prowess was on full display against Liverpool, and his confidence will be high. Eze’s technical skills, coupled with his ability to navigate tight spaces and take on defenders, make him a significant threat.

Given West Ham’s recent defensive instability and their potential fatigue from a packed fixture schedule, Eze is well-placed to exploit any lapses in their back line. His propensity for taking shots from both inside and outside the box adds to the likelihood of him scoring in this upcoming fixture.

Corner Prediction: Crystal Palace > West Ham, Total Corners: Over 10 This prediction is based on the tactical setups and styles of play of both teams. Crystal Palace and West Ham are teams that utilize the width of the pitch, leading to a number of crosses and, consequently, corners.

Crystal Palace, playing at home, will likely be the more aggressive side, pushing forward and forcing West Ham to defend deep, which should result in more corners for the Eagles. Additionally, both teams’ strategies involve significant wide play, which historically leads to higher corner counts. Expecting more than ten corners in total for this game is realistic, considering how both sides approach their attacking play.

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