England Premier League
Saturday 1st January 2022
Kick off at 5:30pm GMT
Venue: Selhurst Park
Match Preview:
Crystal Palace bounced back from their defeat at Tottenham to almost routinely beat bottom placed Norwich 3-0 and that would have been a timely booster coming into this game. Palace were not happy that the Tottenham game went ahead with Covid-19 affecting the team and even Patrick Vieira the clubs manager who had to miss that game. The victory over Norwich gets the club back on track and they are in 11th place with 23 points.
Overall it has been a solid season for the Eagles, not spectacular but at the same time they are a team who can beat most clubs in the league on their day. It’s all about home form and it is worth noting that from their total haul of 23 points 17 of them have come at home. Palace have lost just 1 game at home and have the sixth best home record in the Premier League.
With a win here and the right results Palace would move into the top 10, recent form has been patchy but they will be happy to remain at home for this game.
West Ham beat Watford 4-1 away from home to record their first victory since the beginning of December. It was a much needed win as the Hammers were clearly going through a slump that included defeats against Arsenal and Southampton a draw against Burnley and they were also knocked out of the EFL Cup against their bitter rivals Tottenham.
The Hammers are under pressure as they have slipped 4 points behind Arsenal and are in 5th place but they have Manchester United and Tottenham in hot pursuit. David Moyes side have been solid away from home with 17 points earned from 30 and that is good enough to be the 4th best side in the league on their travels. Although they did win their last away game of course against Watford recent away form had been poor with just 1 point earned from their past 12. The club will be hoping that tasting victory again in midweek will give the team the right shot in the arm to take on Palace.
Team News:
Crystal Palace: Joachim Andersen is 50/50 to return for this game after his muscle injury. Conor Gallagher could return form illness but is only 50/50 to do so. James McArthur is still out with his hamstring.
West Ham: Pablo Fornals is ruled out as he has Covid-19. It was hopeful that Aaron Cresswell would have returned by now from his back injury but reports suggest that he won’t make this game. Kurt Zouma is out with his hamstring and Angelo Ogbonna is out long term with his knee.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham Head to Head:
Last season West Ham won this fixture 3-2.
There is a 90% chance to see both teams to score and we would have to go back four years for the last time it didn’t happen.
Five of the last 10 meetings have ended in draws.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham Prediction:
Player for player West Ham have the better team and have performed the better of the two but this could go either way.
There have been cracks in the West Ham armour of late and beating Watford was good for club morale but isn’t a high bar. Playing Palace away from home is a real test for most sides and the Hammers do not have the greatest of records over the Eagles down the years.
This will be Palace’s first game at home of the new year and we expect a joyful crowd and a good atmosphere. The Hammers are capable of coming here and getting the win and they did just that last season but Palace’s home record should be respected and also they will be delighted to get back Wilfried Zaha after his recent suspension.
We feel both teams are capable of scoring and the goals markets may well be the safest option with this game.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham Betting Tips:
Over 2.5 total goals at 1.90
Anytime goalscorer: Wilfried Zaha at 3.25
Both teams to score at 1.62
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