As the Premier League season kicks off, Crystal Palace faces a crucial London derby against West Ham. After a tough 2-1 defeat to Brentford, Palace manager Oliver Glasner is eager to turn things around and improve upon a promising end to the previous season. On the other side, West Ham’s new manager, Julen Lopetegui, seeks his first victory as he grapples with integrating new signings and addressing his team’s inconsistent away form. Here’s a detailed prediction for this exciting clash.
Crystal Palace: Seeking Redemption
Crystal Palace started the season with a controversial loss to Brentford, where a disputed free-kick decision left Glasner fuming. Despite the setback, Palace’s end-of-season form last year was impressive, with a seven-match unbeaten run that included four straight home wins. Their previous success at Selhurst Park—particularly a 5-2 triumph over West Ham—will provide confidence.
Palace’s strong home record and unbeaten run against West Ham (W3, D1) suggest they are well-positioned to secure a positive result. Eberechi Eze, who was unlucky not to score last weekend, has been a standout performer in this fixture in recent seasons, scoring in each of the last two encounters.
West Ham: A Tough Start for Lopetegui
West Ham’s campaign began with a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa, highlighting some early issues under Lopetegui. The Spaniard’s challenge is further compounded by the need to address the team’s poor away form, which saw them concede 13 goals in their last three away games of the previous season, including a five-goal thrashing at the hands of Palace.
Lopetegui’s integration of new players will be crucial, but the pressure is on to secure a solid performance away from home. Michail Antonio, who has scored in his last three visits to Selhurst Park, will be pivotal if West Ham is to challenge Palace effectively.
Key Players to Watch
- Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace): Despite last week’s disappointment, Eze has been a consistent threat against West Ham, scoring in both of the last two seasons’ fixtures between these teams.
- Michail Antonio (West Ham): Antonio’s impressive record at Selhurst Park makes him a key player for West Ham, as they seek to find their rhythm.
Prediction
Given Palace’s strong home form and their history of success against West Ham, they are favoured to emerge victorious. With Eze’s potential to make a difference and West Ham’s recent struggles on the road, a Palace win seems likely. Expect a competitive match, with Palace edging out West Ham by a narrow margin, possibly 2-1.
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