West Ham vs Crystal Palace — Premier League Match Preview
Date: Saturday, 20 September 2025
Venue: London Stadium
Competition: Premier League
Team Form & Momentum
- West Ham are going through a rough patch: they have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League matches. Defensive issues have been a recurring concern, particularly at home.
- Crystal Palace arrive in better shape – they’re unbeaten in their recent matches across all competitions, showing solidity especially in defense.
Team News & Injuries
- West Ham
- Missing key players: Niclas Füllkrug (muscular issue), Luis Guilherme (shoulder), Michail Antonio.
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka is unavailable due to a stomach issue.
- Tomas Souček is suspended after a red card from the previous game.
- Crystal Palace
- Cheick Doucouré is out with an Achilles injury.
- Chadi Riad and Adam Wharton are also sidelined.
- Eddie Nketiah has a minor knock.
Tactical Notes & What to Expect
- West Ham are likely to try to take control early, especially at home. They’ll push in attack but must defend carefully—vulnerable to counter-attacks given their defensive frailties.
- Palace will probably set up with a more compact shape, looking to frustrate West Ham, absorb pressure, and try to make their chances count on the break. Their discipline at the back has improved.
- Set-pieces could play an important role, especially with West Ham’s aerial threats and Palace needing to remain alert in those situations.
Head-to-Head / Recent Trends
- West Ham have historically scored in each of their last 21 Premier League encounters with Crystal Palace – their longest scoring streak versus a single opponent in top-flight history.
- Palace are unbeaten in their last several away matches overall; their defensive record on the road has been relatively strong.
- West Ham’s home form is a concern: multiple recent home matches with goals conceded, few clean sheets, and difficulty closing out games.
Prediction
Given Palace’s defensive solidity and West Ham’s current struggles, this one might end up tight. A draw seems likely, though if West Ham can sharpen up defensively and take their chances, they have a chance to win.
Likely Scoreline: West Ham 1-1 Crystal Palace
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