Crystal Palace vs West Ham Prediction & Betting Tips (24 August)

For more than a decade, the years have followed one another and been similar for C.Palace. Maintaining the Premier League is systematic, however the London team cannot find the right ingredients to play in Europe. Competition is certainly tough in England, but teams like Sheffield United, Leicester City and Everton have found a way to play in Europe, why not Crystal Palace? So far the Eagles' preparation has been excellent, with a draw against Charlton 1-1, two successes against Crawley Town 3-6 and Wolverhampton 3-1, a 3rd against West Ham 1-3 but held in check by FC Nantes 1-1. In the league last weekend, Crystal Palace 13th, 0 points missed the mark by losing to Brentford on the road 1-2. On the West Ham Hammers side we know how to play the European Cup.

In addition to 2 participations in the 2022 and 2024 C3 campaigns, West Ham won the Europa League in 2023. 14th that same season in the Premier League, 9th during the 2023-24 season, the Hammers lost the recipe for the potion “European Cup” for the last 2 years. She will not play either C3 or C4 this year. The preparation started with a draw against Ferencvaros 2-2, then a success in the London Stadium Dagenham 5th Div, 0-1 but they lost against Wolves 3-1 and Crystal Palace 1-3, to finish with a draw against Celta 2-2. For the first of its season, in the Olympic Stadium in London, West Ham surrendered to the Villains of Aston Villa 1-2. 

The attractiveness of the Premier League gives it the power, for small clubs like Crystal Palace, to never really get stripped. Thus, only the departure of the twirling Olise for Bayern Munich will leave a void but an envelope of 50 million euros as consolation. Money spent on transfers from Chadi Riad (Betis) for around fifteen million or even that of Marseillais, Sarr (also 15 million). D.Kamada (Lazio Rome) arrived free. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson (ex-Man United) is still at the club, like the valuable centrals Guéhi and Andersen, or the talented full-backs Munoz and Mitchell. In the middle, we will note the capital presence of Lerma but especially that of Eze (11 goals and 4 assists last year in PL) in support of Mateta who is perhaps experiencing the best period of his career with 10 goals in the last 8 days, for a total of 16 goals and 5 assists last season. Note the absence of striker Matheus Franca (injured, 0 goals last season). Obviously, Joe Ward (right back, captain) did not play the last match and could miss this one.

 West Ham lost many elements during this summer transfer window but no major element of this group. Thus, Phillips returns to City, Ben Johnson leaves free for Ipswich, Benrahma bought permanently by Lyon, Kehrer who joins Monaco, and Downes with promoted Southampton. Conversely, the Hammers have put their hands in the wallet. Max Kilman (ex-Wolverhampton) arrived at the club for almost 50 million euros, Crysencio Summerville (20 goals in Championship 2023-24) from Leeds for 30 million euros, Luis Guilherme the nugget from Gremio for 22 million euros, and without forgetting N.Füllkrug for 27 million euros, the ex-BVB player whom PSG knows well having faced him in the semi-final of the Champions League last year, and the only scorer in the 'go. For the rest, nothing changes since the key players Alvarez (withdrawal today), Soucek, Ward-Prowse and Paqueta populate the middle, and up front, the interesting Kudus and Bowen are still actuaries, they who have made ravaged last season in the PL (24 goals, 12 assists between them). Also to finish, let's note another round of reinforcements with Guido Rodriguez (midfield, Bétis), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) and Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice, loan with OA). For this first match, Mexican international midfielder Edson Alvarez (85 salt) is out.