Crystal Palace vs West Ham: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Location: Selhurst Park
Date: 21/04/24
Kick-off: 3:00 PM
The capital hosts one of the more intriguing games at the weekend as two London rivals do battle once again. West Ham United travel the short trip over to Selhurst Park in hope of continuing their European aspirations. Crystal Palace are all but mathematically. safe from the relegation zone.

Crystal Palace decided that Roy Hodgson’s tenure was no longer required earlier on this season and they decided to approach Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner to take over the helm at Selhurst Park. It was important for Palace to make this change as fresh impetus was needed at the club and the Austrian has made a moderate yet unremarkable start in his short time at the club.

Since his arrival, Glasner has a mixed record of two wins, two draws and three losses. Under his management Crystal Palace have averaged 1.14 points per game with him as manager. It is worth noting also, that his predecessor Roy Hodgson only averaged a point per game his season from 24 games played.

Crystal Palace are currently 14th after 32 games played – averaging roughly 1.1 points per game in the Premier League. Defensively is where the issues lie for Crystal Palace this season.

The Eagles have conceded 54 goals in 32 games – averaging 1.68 goals conceded per game. Crystal Palace are in no danger realistically of falling towards the teams below because of their superior points difference to the teams below.
The hosts are seven points clear of 18th placed Luton Town, with a game in hand. Brentford could overtake the Eagles at the weekend although Palace can gain that place back with their game in hand.

West Ham United are once again harbouring aspirations of European Football under David Moyes despite some fan unrest regarding his style of football. The Hammers find themselves eighth in the league and only two points behind Manchester United who are seventh.

David Moyes’s side are still in European competition as they have a 2-0 deficit to overturn against recently crowned Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen. Under David Moyes, the Hammers could move to as high as sixth next weekend with Manchester United playing Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final. They would also require Newcastle United to drop points, although the Magpies have a game in hand midweek.West Ham United have accumulated 48 points from 33 games this season – averaging 1.45 points per game. In the attacking areas, they’ve scored 52 goals and have conceded 58 overall.

The reverse fixture this season ended in a 1-1 draw. Mohammed Kudus had his goal cancelled out by Odsonne Edouard’s equaliser.

Crystal Palace

Cheick Doucoure, Marc Guehi and Sam Johnstone are all unavailable for this game due to injuries. Oliver Glasner has no fresh suspension concerns for this game.

West Ham

Lucas Paqueta is the only suspension risk as David Moyes should be able to field his strongest eleven.

The home side for this fixture have the historical advantage when it comes to the last five meetings. Crystal Palace have won two out of their last five games against West HamUnited, drawing twice and losing the remaining fixture. The Eagles are unbeaten in their last three games against the Hammers with the most recent defeat taking place in 2022.
Crystal Palace won this corresponding fixture last season in a brilliant encounter against their London rivals. Crystal Place fell behind in the ninth minute through Tomas Soucek, however, Palace fought back with three goals from Jordan Ayew, Wilfred Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp. Michael Antonio gave the Hammers a fighting chance, until Ebere Eze restored the Eagles two goal lead. Nayef Aguerd scored a consolation goal late on.

The last time West Ham United beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park was in 2022. Goals from Antonio and a brace from Manuel Lanzini gave the Hammers all three points that day. It is worth noting that no team has kept a clean sheet in this fixture since 2017. Since that result, there has 13 fixtures between the two sides where neither has been able to keep a clean sheet.

Crystal Palace come into this game with mixed form under Oliver Glasner. The Eagles have only won one out of their last five games in the league, having drawn the two remaining games and losing twice also. In their most recent home game at Selhurst Park, they lost 4-2 to Manchester City in a valiant losing effort.

The Eagles took the lead in the fourth minute through Jean Phillipe – Mateta but goals from Rico Lewis, Erling Haaland and a brace from Kevin De Bruyne gave the Champions an emphatic win. Odsonne Edouard grabbed a consolation goal late on.

Crystal Palace will have plenty of confidence heading into this game, however. The Eagles travelled to title chasing Liverpool and recorded a 1-0 win. An early first-half goal from Ebere Eze provided a solid foundation in which Crystal Palace used to secure the win.

Their early season struggles affected their home form overall this season. At Selhurst Park, the Eagles have averaged 1.07 points per game, having won four, drawn four and lost seven of the 16 games played at home.

West Ham United have the same exact form as their hosts for this game. The Hammers have also won once, drawn twice and lost the remaining two games they have played in this five-game period. In their most recent game, West Ham United faced another London side albeit in a losing effort to Fulham by a 2-0 score-line.

The Hammers most recent away game was a successful outing in Wolverhampton. West Ham United fell behind in the 33rd minute through a Pablo Sarabia penalty, however they produced a fine comeback through Lucas Paqueta and James Ward – Prowse.

A good omen for West Ham United is that their away form is slightly better than Crystal Palace’s home form. The Hammers have recorded a 1.44 points per game average – having six wins from 16 games.
West Ham United have two out of their last five away games in the league, losing the other three remaining games. The visitors were involved in a high scoring defeat recently against Newcastle United where they also had a man advantage.

We predict that Crystal Palace will continue their momentum from the Liverpool game and record a victory here.
Crystal Palace 2-1 West Ham United