West Ham vs Crystal Palace Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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There is another London derby for West Ham United to concern themselves with as the pressure mounts on Graham Potter ahead of the visit of a strong Crystal Palace side.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Universo
West Ham preview: Woeful Irons
West Ham United come into this one on the back of a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium last weekend. There are suggestions that a defeat here could be the end of Graham Potter’s stint in charge of the Irons.
The Hammers have conceded 11 goals in three games this season against Sunderland, Chelsea and Spurs, with a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest, with three late goals against a team about to sack manager Nuno Espirito Santo, looking even more anomalous.
Crystal Palace preview: Unbeaten Palace
Crystal Palace started the 2025/26 season by winning their second ever piece of silverware as they defeated Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium and they are now unbeaten in eight matches so far this season.
That unbeaten run was extended in midweek against south London rivals Millwall in the third round of the EFL Cup as they defeated the Lions on penalties. They are struggling for fluency in attack at the moment, but remain resolute at the back.
West Ham team news: No AWB or Soucek
Graham Potter has confirmed that former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is unavailable to face former club Crystal Palace this weekend as a result of a stomach issue.
As well as the absence of Wan-Bissaka, they are also without Tomas Soucek, with the Czechia international now serving the first of a three-match suspension following being sent off last weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Ward-Prowse, Fernandes; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Fullkrug
Unavailable: Wan-Bissaka (Illness), Soucek (Suspended), Guilherme (Injured)
Questionable:
Crystal Palace team news: Wharton should start
After becoming the hero in the penalty shootout win against Millwall, back-up goalkeeper Walter Benitez is now missing through injury for the Eagles as he deals with a finger issue.
The visitors do, though, get to welcome back both Adam Wharton and Eddie Nketiah, with the expectation being that Wharton goes straight back into the eleven.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Pino, Kamada; Mateta
Unavailable: Benitez (Injured), Riad (Injured), Kporha (Injured), Doucoure (Injured), Sarr (Injured), Edouard (Injured)
Questionable:
West Ham vs Crystal Palace prediction
Crystal Palace may eventually struggle to deal with UEFA Europa Conference League commitments alongside their domestic outings, but they don’t have to worry about that just yet. The Eagles remain very tight and difficult to beat, and it appears to be a matter of time before the attack clicks. West Ham are not a difficult to beat or score against, and they also look a bit of a mish mash going forward, so this could spell the end for Potter.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace tip: Crystal Palace to win
