Roll the clock back a few months and you would find both West Ham and Crystal Palace right in the fight for relegation. West Ham have been out of serious danger since a fantastic February, and Crystal Palace have certainly been enjoying life under Tony Pulis and are currently on their best run of the season with four straight wins.
Crystal Palace have been something of a revelation since Tony Pulis replaced Ian Holloway. Their current run has lifted them above West Ham after a fantastic victory away at Goodison Park midweek, a place where Everton dispatched Arsenal 3-0, last time out. Jason Puncheon is the Eagles top goal scorer this season with seven, whilst ex-Hammer Marouane Chamakh is next in line with five Premier League goals this term.
Before this season’s encounter, the previous five meetings between the two sides have been in the Championship, of which West Ham have won just one. The previous two meetings (back in the 2011/12 campaign) both ended as draws. Earlier in the season it was Crystal Palace took all three points with a 1-0 win after Chamakh haunted West Ham fans.
The Eagles are ahead of only Norwich City in terms of goals scored this season but have managed well defensively, and so haven’t struggled as much as you may expect with the lack of goals.
Team News
Marco Borriello remains out for West Ham but becomes the only casualty with James Collins, Kevin Nolan, and Joey O’Brien all returning, a welcome break for West Ham’s physio team.
As for Crystal Palace, Yannick Bolasie picked up a knock against Everton and is a doubt. There will also be late fitness tests for Joel Ward and Marouane Chamakh. Adrian Mariappa will be available despite breaking his nose versus Everton.
Prediction
West Ham have struggled a little of late but showed a good 40 odd minutes against Arsenal which they can draw some confidence from. Crystal Palace are on a similar run to which West Ham were on back in February. Hopefully, like West Ham, Palace’s win streak ends after four in a row.
I don’t think it will though. I think West Ham will do well to get a point as the Hammers have rather rested on their laurels since becoming “virtually safe”. Crystal Palace have become a force of late and if Bolasie makes the late fitness test, their run is likely to continue. After being optimistic before the Arsenal game, I’m going to have to predict;
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Very much doubt we will win this game, think we will be biting nails 0n the last game of the season. Teams know we are a one trick pony, when it does’nt work we hav’nt got a clue. Must have a big clearout and re-build this summer.