West Ham United vs Crystal Palace Predictions

West Ham vs Crystal Palace predictions for this Premier League clash. West Ham face Crystal Palace at the London Stadium, with both teams aiming for consecutive Premier League wins in what promises to be a competitive Saturday afternoon clash. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Premier League | Jan 18, 2025 at 3pm UK at London Stadium

West Ham United vs Crystal Palace Predictions

Will Goals Fly at the London Stadium in This Capital Clash?

• Goals Galore in This Fixture: Fourteen of the last 15 meetings between West Ham and Crystal Palace have seen both teams score, with three or more goals in 10 of those games.
• Palace’s Unbeaten Away Run: The Eagles have gone six consecutive Premier League away matches without defeat, winning three of their last four on the road.
• West Ham’s Defensive Struggles: The Hammers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five league matches, conceding nine goals in that span.

Our Tips

The London Stadium will host a clash of two sides looking to extend their recent resurgence as West Ham United face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. Both teams enter this match buoyed by midweek Premier League victories, but while one side aims to break into the top half of the table, the other is focused on maintaining distance from the relegation battle. With both teams finding a measure of confidence, this all-London affair promises plenty of drama.

West Ham, under the new stewardship of Graham Potter, are still finding their feet, but their recent 3-2 win over Fulham offered a glimmer of what this team might achieve. Despite missing key attacking players in Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, and Niclas Fullkrug, the Hammers managed to show resilience, with Lucas Paquetá stepping up in a false nine role to orchestrate their attack. Potter, however, will know that their defensive frailties, which saw them concede twice and allow Fulham to dominate the shot count, remain a concern. Sitting in 13th place and 10 points clear of the drop zone, West Ham will be eager to establish a level of consistency, something that has eluded them since early 2024.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are starting to look like a side capable of avoiding the drop with relative ease. Their 2-0 victory over Leicester in midweek extended their unbeaten run to five matches, and Oliver Glasner’s men are playing with an energy that suggests belief is coursing through the squad. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal-scoring form, coupled with Marc Guehi’s leadership at the back, gives the Eagles balance across the pitch. Though their historical record in London derbies is poor, they will take comfort in their unbeaten run of five games at the London Stadium, a venue where they have developed a knack for frustrating West Ham.

With both sides desperate for momentum and pride at stake in this derby, expect an intense and competitive encounter.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals

When analysing this match, the most reliable outcome appears to be both teams finding the net, coupled with a high-scoring affair. Recent encounters between West Ham and Crystal Palace underline this pattern. In fact, 14 of the last 15 Premier League clashes between these sides have seen goals at both ends, with over 2.5 goals being scored in the majority of them. It’s not just historical form that points to this outcome—both teams’ recent performances reinforce it.

West Ham’s defence has been anything but reliable this season, and their midweek victory over Fulham highlighted their inability to close out games comfortably. Conceding twice to Marco Silva’s men and allowing 21 shots on goal suggests that their backline is far from impenetrable. However, Potter’s tactical tweaks have allowed them to remain a threat in attack, even in the absence of their key forwards. Lucas Paquetá has taken on added responsibility, supported by Carlos Soler and Tomas Souček, both of whom have shown their ability to get forward and contribute goals.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have been clinical on the road. They have won three of their last four away fixtures and remain unbeaten in six away games, scoring with consistency. Mateta’s resurgence as a reliable goalscorer, combined with Ismaïla Sarr’s dynamism on the wing, ensures that Glasner’s men carry a potent threat in transition. With the likes of Eberechi Eze providing creative flair in midfield, the Eagles are more than capable of punishing a vulnerable West Ham defence.

BettingTips4You.com expert Graham Hartshorn summarises the situation perfectly: “This match has the hallmarks of an open, end-to-end contest. West Ham’s defensive issues combined with Palace’s form on the road mean goals are almost guaranteed.”

Given the attacking capabilities of both sides and their defensive vulnerabilities, a high-scoring game seems inevitable. The combination of both teams scoring and the game producing over 2.5 goals provides excellent value and reflects the form both teams have displayed.

Correct Score Prediction: West Ham United 2-2 Crystal Palace

The rationale behind a 2-2 scoreline rests on both teams’ recent tendencies and the balance of their respective strengths and weaknesses. West Ham have struggled to keep clean sheets, with their backline showing fragility in most matches this season. Even against a Palace side that have not been prolific in London derbies, it’s difficult to see the Hammers shutting them out, particularly with Mateta and Sarr in strong form.

On the flip side, while Palace’s defence has been improved under Glasner, their habit of conceding in away games remains. West Ham, despite their injuries, have enough quality in Paquetá, Soler, and Souček to exploit this and find the net. Given that West Ham’s midfield and defensive structure still look like works in progress under Potter, Palace should have the space to hit back on the counter.

A draw feels like the fair outcome, as neither team has displayed the kind of defensive solidity needed to dominate proceedings. The attacking quality on both sides will likely ensure a see-saw encounter, and 2-2 seems a fitting prediction given their recent scoring patterns.

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