After a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham, Graham Potter’s West Ham have started to build momentum under their new manager. The win showcased a mixture of defensive frailties and clinical finishing, leaving the coach with plenty to address ahead of this London derby.
Currently sitting 12th in the Premier League table, West Ham are eager to string together consecutive wins and climb further from the relegation zone.
One standout performer in their previous match was Lucas Paquetá. He operated as a false nine in the absence of traditional strikers like Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug. His ability to link play and capitalize on defensive errors was pivotal.
Potter’s decision to deploy Paquetá in this unconventional role highlights his tactical flexibility and willingness to adapt to enhance the squad’s limitations. West Ham’s midfield, led by Tomas Soucek and Edson Álvarez, provided both defensive stability and attacking thrust. The duo’s ability to win second balls and transition quickly will be vital against a Crystal Palace side that thrives on counter-attacks.
However, there are glaring defensive issues. The backline, coordinated by Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos, has been prone to concentration lapses. Alex Iwobi’s two crosses that turned into goals for Fulham revealed the vulnerabilities in West Ham’s defensive organization, especially against deliveries from wide areas.
Lukasz Fabianski, though experienced, will need to command his box more effectively and communicate better with his defenders.
Injuries remain a concern for Potter. Antonio, Bowen, and Füllkrug are unlikely to feature, leaving the manager to rely on creative midfielders and versatile forwards like Carlos Soler.
Soler’s first goal for the club against Fulham showed us his ability to exploit defensive mistakes. His composure in front of goal will be crucial. West Ham’s strategy will focus on controlling possession and pressing high to force errors from Crystal Palace’s defenders. This tactic paid dividends in their last match.
Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, comes into this clash buoyed by a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Stockport County and a hard-fought Premier League draw against Chelsea. While the Eagles sit precariously in 15th place, recent performances suggest they are building momentum.
The Eagles’s reliance on Eberechi Eze for creativity and goals was evident in both matches. Eze, supported by Ismaïla Sarr on the wings, forms the backbone of Crystal Palace’s offensive thrust. Glasner’s defensive structure, led by Marc Guéhi, has been solid, but occasional lapses in marking and organization have been exploited.
Crystal Palace have embraced a balanced 4-2-3-1 formation, leveraging their pace on the flanks while maintaining a compact midfield. However, the lack of clinical finishing has been a recurring theme. Eddie Nketiah and Jefferson Lerma have hasfailed to capitalize on clear chances in recent outings.
Injuries to players like Jean-Philippe Mateta could further challenge their attacking depth. To secure points, Palace will need to maintain their defensive discipline and convert counter-attacking opportunities into goals. Glasner’s ability to adapt mid-game could be a determining factor.
A crucial battle in this encounter will be between West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi. Lucas’ ability to drift into pockets of space and dictate play could be pivotal. Guéhi, known for his composure and leadership, will need to organize his defence to nullify his opponents’ fluid attacking movements.
Bet hereGlasner’s approach will likely emphasize compactness in defence and rapid transitions. With Sarr and Eze’s pace, Crystal Palace can exploit West Ham’s vulnerability to wide deliveries.
The midfield battle will be crucial, as the double pivot of Lerma and Daichi Kamada will need to disrupt West Ham’s rhythm while feeding their wide players. Glasner may also instruct his fullbacks to join the attack selectively, ensuring they maintain defensive cover.
Crystal Palace’s ability to execute quick counter-attacks could be their primary weapon. The tactical awareness of Eze to find space and overlap from their fullbacks will be key. However, their inconsistency in finishing chances has hindered them in previous matches. To take advantage of West Ham’s defensive frailties, Oliver’s squad must be clinical when opportunities arise.
West Ham’s recent attacking improvements and home advantage tilt the balance in their favour, but their defensive vulnerabilities mean their opposition will have opportunities to capitalize. But, their high pressing and efficiency in front of the goal should see them edge out a narrow victory.
Expect Potter to employ a high press to force errors in Palace’s buildup. The fluidity of players like Paquetá and Kudus in advanced positions allows West Ham to exploit spaces in transition. Their ability to create overloads on the flanks, especially through Wan-Bissaka and Soler, could prove pivotal.
Potter’s tactical flexibility, like switching to a more defensive shape to protect leads, will be crucial against the counter-attacking side. The midfield partnership of Álvarez and Rodríguez will be tasked with shielding the defence while initiating assaults.
However, Crystal Palace’s counter-attacking threat means they won’t go down without a fight. The match is likely to be decided by moments of individual brilliance and set-piece opportunities.
With both teams displaying defensive frailties and possessing creative players capable of producing moments of magic, this match promises goals at both ends.
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