Crystal Palace v West Ham predictions: Selhurst Park stalemate on the cards

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Crystal Palace v West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 5-2 Betfred, Coral

Team news

Crystal Palace
James McArthur is still absent through injury but Wilfried Zaha returns from suspension. Joachim Anderson is expected to be available and Conor Gallagher is a doubt.

West Ham
Aaron Cresswell, Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna remain sidelined and Pablo Fornals (COVID-19) is self-isolating but Declan Rice is available after serving a one-match ban.

Match preview

Crystal Palace were comfortable 3-0 winners against Norwich on Tuesday but five of their ten home games have seen the points shared and backing the draw looks the best bet when they tackle West Ham at Selhurst Park.

David Moyes has insisted that West Ham are not even thinking about a top-four finish but his team are fifth at the halfway point in their season.

The Irons sustained back-to-back league defeats either side of Christmas Day but they responded with a 4-1 victory at Watford on Wednesday which was every bit as convincing as the scoreline suggests.

Powerhouse centre-forward Michail Antonio returned to the starting line-up against the Hornets and although he failed to get on the scoresheet, his all-action display contributed greatly to an excellent team performance.

West Ham's win should have restored any lost confidence and they will be stronger for the short trip to Palace with Declan Rice expected to return from a one-match ban.

Rice's combative qualities will be needed because Palace are tough to crack on home soil.

The Eagles have lost just one of ten home league games this season although their toughest home games - against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City - are still to come.

Patrick Vieira has successfully modified Palace's style, making them a more possession-based team, and the adjustment seems to suit classy midfielder Will Hughes, who stood out in Tuesday's 3-0 success at home to Norwich.

Palace had tried to get the Norwich game postponed but they were able to name a strong team and their attacking options are further boosted by Wilfried Zaha's return from a one-game ban.

Zaha's petulance contributed to Palace's 3-0 loss at Tottenham on Boxing Day but he should be refreshed mentally and physically and eager to sign off with a strong performance before departing for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast.

West Ham need to be mindful of Zaha's threat and ensure they offer good protection to centre-backs Craig Dawson and Issa Diop, who can struggle when up against mobile attackers.

To combat the threat Moyes may ask Tomas Soucek to temper his attacking instincts and sit alongside Rice in a more cautious set-up, and there is a possibility that two physically imposing midfields could end up cancelling each other out.

It could be a contest of few clear chances and small margins and a stalemate looks a likely outcome.

Key stat

Crystal Palace have drawn five of their ten home games this season

Inside info

Crystal Palace

Penalty taker Wilfried Zaha/Odsonne Edouard
Free-kick wizard Conor Gallagher
Set-piece aerial threat Cheikhou Kouyate
Card magnet Marc Guehi

West Ham

Penalty taker Manuel Lanzini
Free-kick wizardSaid Benrahma
Set-piece aerial threatTomas Soucek
Card magnetDeclan Rice

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