West Ham vs Crystal Palace Prediction & Betting Tips (18 January)

West Ham must obviously do without striker Antonio, who is recovering from a road accident. Furthermore, the essential Bowen (5 goals and 4 assists in PL) and the potentially starting central defender Todibo remain in the infirmary, joined by Fullkrug (2 goals and 1 assist in 9 PL matches), already bothered by an injury during the first part of the season. The important Summerville (left winger, affected in the Cup) and Emerson (left side, absent from the last two matches) are uncertain. The German international found the net during the last championship match. Executives Paqueta (3 goals in PL) and Kudus (3 goals in PL) should start. The Crystal Palace coach records the withdrawals of important midfielders Wharton as well as long-term absentees Matheus França and Holding. Return, however, of Matt Hugues in the middle.

Up front, we should find the Frenchman Mateta (5 goals in PL) who has been Crystal Palace's best scorer since the start of the championship. Sick and on the bench last weekend, he has recovered and should start this time. Ditto for defenders Mitchell and Lacroix. In support, the influential Eze (2 goals and 3 assists in PL) and Sarr (4 goals and 2 assists in PL) should take their place. Holder in defense and valuable in the first part of the season (3 goals), Trevor Chalobah was recalled from his loan by Chelsea.

In the upcoming encounter between West Ham and Crystal Palace, both teams enter the match with contrasting recent forms. Crystal Palace has demonstrated resilience and a steady defensive record, securing victories against Stockport County and Southampton while holding Chelsea and Bournemouth to draws. Their recent performances show a balanced team that is difficult to break down, with a knack for securing narrow wins. The influence of key players like Marc Guéhi and Eddie Nketiah has been instrumental in their ability to grind out results.

On the other hand, West Ham is looking to capitalize on Crystal Palace's mixed results and find a breakthrough in their own challenging season. With the likes of Lucas Paquetá and Niclas Füllkrug adding depth to their squad, West Ham aims to exploit any defensive lapses in Crystal Palace's setup. The game promises to be a tight affair, with West Ham striving to translate their attacking potential into goals, while Crystal Palace relies on their solid defensive foundation and the strategic acumen of manager Oliver Glasner to secure a favorable outcome. This clash could be decided by moments of individual brilliance and tactical adjustments from both managers.

As West Ham gears up to face Crystal Palace on January 18, 2025, the prediction of a 1:2 scoreline seems plausible given the teams' recent forms and player performances. West Ham's attacking prowess, led by the likes of Niclas Füllkrug, is expected to break through Crystal Palace's defense at least once. However, Crystal Palace, under the astute management of Oliver Glasner, has shown a knack for securing narrow victories. With Eddie Nketiah and Matheus França in fine form, it's anticipated that they will capitalize on West Ham's defensive vulnerabilities to edge out a victory, leaving the Hammers with a tough but closely contested match.

• Summary: West Ham United is going head to head with Crystal Palace starting on 18 Jan 2025 at 15:00 UTC at London Stadium stadium, London city, England. The match is a part of the Premier League .
• Referee: Thomas Bramall
• West Ham Feedinco Rating: 6.84
• Crystal Palace Feedinco Rating: 8.0