GSH Predicts West Ham’s home match against Crystal Palace
West Ham take on Crystal Palace this weekend as they look to make it 9 points from 9. Can the Hammers keep the run going and continue to move up the table.
Jeff: 1-1 Draw
The absence of Marko Arnautovic for West Ham United for the next month at least, and for this match vs Crystal Palace is a big worry for the Hammers. Although he hasn’t scored a goal since early November, he is the primary threat that opposing clubs have to account for going in to every match. He also opens up space for other attackers when he draws the defenders attention to him. What Manuel Pellegrini does both in formation and personnel to deal with the loss is going to be both interesting and critical in determining the outcome of this match.
Specifically, will he chose to start two strikers in the same 4-4-2 he’s used the past two matches, which resulted in 6 total Hammers goals. And if so, who plays alongside Chicharito? Antonio or Perez, or Andy Carroll. He could also choose to start one central forward in a 4-1-4-1. Whichever way he goes in this one, I think the Irons are going to struggle to score goals. Good thing Crystal Palace struggle to score too, and they don’t do well playing in London derbies as the away side.
Adam: 2-1 West Ham
It’s going to be a tough game for West Ham against what can be a physical and fast Palace squad. They lost in embarrassing fashion to ten-men Brighton last week in a lopsided affair so I suspect redemption is on the players minds. That being said, West Ham is tiring on all cylinders even with their injuries and will price too much for the Eagles.
Zaha will always be dangerous (for his shooting or diving) but Andros Townsend is going to be the real spark plug for them in this match. He’s quick and deceptive and can lean on a shot from range; one to mark for this match. I can see West Ham getting in front early and playing tug of war for the remainder of the match. I don’t see West Ham’s usual three goals in this one, but still confident.
Scott: 2-0 West Ham
As others have mentioned the missing Arnautovic is going to be a central theme to this match. His all rounded nature means a completely different threat to the other strikers we have but I have faith in our attacking ability. I expect Perez and Hernandez to start the game and they are both players who are capable of putting away sharp chances in and around the box, but we just need to give them the opportunity.
I expect our gameplan to be more patient, because without Arnie up front there’s no way we can hold the game up well enough to just go long every time. As such I hope we will see a clean sheet again and a performance that will be controlling, bordering on dominant. Palace have some decent players who will need to be accounted for, but we can contain them. I don’t expect this match to be too fraught in the last 10 minutes.
Jeremiah: 2-1 West Ham
Yes I said it… Win! That will make it three in a row for the first time since… yeah I’m not sure but I’m betting it’s been awhile. Anyway I digress, the Hammers are coming off their best form and have scored 6 goals in the past 2 matches. Palace will be mad coming off of a bad look this past week against Brighton and will be looking to get the better of their cross town rivals. I predict a tough, edgy start with even Palace striking first. Overtime I can see our attack wearing them out and getting 2 back. COME ON YOU IRONS!