Crystal Palace is set to face West Ham in a pivotal London derby on Saturday afternoon, as both teams look to secure crucial points in their fight against relegation from the Premier League. Under interim manager Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace has seen a resurgence in form, with Eberechi Eze and Jordan Ayew playing crucial roles in their recent performances.
Despite a promising run of three wins and a draw in Hodgson’s first four games, the Eagles suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Wolves in midweek. Hodgson, however, remained optimistic and praised his team’s performance, citing a 59% possession rate and 15 attempts on goal as evidence of their efforts. Crystal Palace will be eager to bounce back with a victory against West Ham, believing one more win could secure their Premier League safety.
On the other hand, West Ham manager David Moyes was left infuriated by a controversial VAR decision during their 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday. The Hammers were denied a late penalty, which could have turned the tide in their favor. Moyes is now seeking a strong response from his team as they visit Selhurst Park, with West Ham having a recent record of W5-D2-L1 at the venue.
Historically, matches between Crystal Palace and West Ham have been closely contested, with both sides posting a W3-D5-L3 return over their past 11 encounters. As both teams sit level on points and have demonstrated similar form since mid-February, this contest promises to be a tight and hard-fought affair.
The prop markets suggest that a low-scoring game is likely, with Under 2.5 Goals trading at a short price. However, the attacking prowess of Eze and Ayew for Crystal Palace could be the difference-maker in this crucial relegation battle. Since Hodgson’s return, Eze has scored three goals and landed eight shots on target across five matches, while Ayew has had 12 attempts in the same period. This attacking partnership could prove vital in securing the much-needed win for the Eagles.
As both teams continue to battle against relegation, this London derby is shaping up to be an intense and closely contested match. With the stakes high and both teams eager to prove their worth, the stage is set for an exciting Premier League showdown at Selhurst Park.