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Preview: Crystal Palace vs. West Ham United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and West Ham United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

In-form West Ham United will be looking to make it six wins in a row in all competitions when they face London rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.

United are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup and are flying high in seventh in the league, nine points better off than a Palace side with one win in their last nine overall.


Match preview

West Ham United's Andriy Yarmolenko celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on January 23, 2021© Reuters

The Hammers kept their momentum going with a comfortable 4-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday - the first time they have scored three or more in a home tie in the competition in a decade.

Everything is looking up for David Moyes, who has not been afraid to tweak his system to get the most out of his squad.

A victory on Tuesday would make it the first time that the Scotsman has won four successive Premier League games since December 2013 when in charge of Manchester United. It is a feat West Ham last managed in December 2018.

Three league wins in a row for West Ham, most recently seeing off West Bromwich Albion 2-1, has them within two points of fourth-placed Liverpool and dreaming of a place in Europe.

With a home match against stuttering champions Liverpool to come next week, Moyes will be keen to get three more points on the board on Tuesday against cross-city rivals Palace.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson pictured on January 2, 2020© Reuters

The Eagles have struggled for momentum pretty much all season long, though they have taken points off Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Arsenal over the past five weeks.

Last week's heavy 4-0 reverse at the hands of Manchester City would have dented confidence, though, with Palace now marooned in mid-table, neither in relegation danger nor in serious European contention.

Hodgson's men have failed to win any of their last 19 games against teams starting the day in the top half, as is the case for West Ham, with their only four wins since September 19 coming against the three promoted clubs and bottom side Sheffield United.

If they are to get their campaign back on track then goals are needed. Since beating West Brom 5-1 at the start of December, Palace have scored just five more goals in eight league games, failing to find the net four times in that run.

The good news for the Eagles is that they are unbeaten in their last four top-flight encounters with West Ham, winning two and drawing two, a run that includes a 1-1 draw when the sides faced off a little over a month ago.

Crystal Palace Premier League form: LLDWDL
Crystal Palace form (all competitions): LDWLDL

West Ham United Premier League form: LDDWWW
West Ham United form (all competitions): DWWWWW



Team News

West Ham United forward Michail Antonio celebrates scoring against Burnley on January 16, 2021© Reuters

Palace could be without six players for Tuesday's encounter through injury, with the likes of Jeffrey Schlupp and Mamadou Sakho sidelined.

However, Wilfried Zaha and Cheikhou Kouyate are expected to be fit to play a full part at Selhurst Park.

The hosts have had a week-and-a-half rest between games but changes may still be made on the back of the loss to Man City, including a possible return for Christian Benteke up top.

As for the visitors, Arthur Masuaku remains absent with a knee issue and goalkeeper Darren Randolph will have a minor injury assessed ahead of the game.

Fabian Balbuena is back in contention for United, but Moyes may stick largely with the same side that beat West Brom last time out in the league.

Michail Antonio, rested for the cup win against Doncaster, has scored the winning goal in West Ham's last two Premier League victories - the last player to score the winner in three consecutive top-flight games for the Hammers was Bobby Zamora in 2007.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Ward, Kouyate, Tomkins, Mitchell; Townsend, McArthur, Milivojevic, Eze; Zaha, Benteke

West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals; Antonio


SM words green background

We say: Crystal Palace 1-2 West Ham United

West Ham have looked very impressive in recent weeks and have a serious shout of playing European football next season if they can keep their momentum going.

Palace have had plenty of time to ponder their heavy loss to Man City last time out, but given their home league record - two wins in eight - we are backing United to take all three points.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:431915:cQx

How you voted: Crystal Palace vs West Ham

Crystal Palace
18.8%
Draw
18.0%
West Ham United
63.2%
372
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Mark Noble in action for West Ham United on October 5, 2019
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David Moyes: 'We want to win the FA Cup for Mark Noble'
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City20135237132444
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd21125437271041
3Leicester CityLeicester20123536221439
4Liverpool20107340231737
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham2010553024635
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1996434201433
7Everton1910362924533
8Aston Villa19102734211332
9Arsenal219482620631
10Chelsea2086633231030
11Southampton208572725229
12Leeds UnitedLeeds198293235-326
13Crystal Palace217592536-1126
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2165102130-923
15Burnley196491324-1122
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2164112134-1322
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton203982229-718
18Fulham2028101729-1214
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2126131750-3312
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2122171234-228

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