West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
Date: 16/12/2020
K/O: 20:00
Venue: London Stadium
Referee: David Coote
TV: Amazon Prime Video
Fans are, once again, exiled from London stadiums as both West Ham United and Crystal Palace look to extend equally impressive starts to their season at the London Stadium.
Coming into the season, TheAthletic.com quizzed sets of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs to discern the optimism of fan bases heading into the 2020/21 season. Only 8.8% of West Ham fans were ‘optimistic’ and only 49.2% of Palace fans shared the same opinion – putting them 20th and 16th respectively in the ‘hope-o-meter’. Yet, here we are.
Palace, despite a brace of uninspiring performances against Newcastle and Burnley, which their talisman Wilfried Zaha was notably absent from, are just three points shy of West Ham who are sixth, before the start of matchweek 13.
Both teams have a positive goal difference and are in the top 10 for goals scored and least goals conceded. Zaha’s goal tally of seven has already eclipsed last season’s total of four – his third lowest for Palace ever. While Aaron Cresswell has already managed four assists, playing on the left side of a back three, potentiating West Ham’s prowess from set pieces. Equally, they are firing on a individual and team basis.
There is, in contrast to what both sets of fans previously thought, much to be excited about for this match and for the rest of the season, if the form becomes permanent.
Jordan Ayew was instrumental in securing the double over West Ham last season. His 87th minute winner in this fixture last season, and the 90th minute goal of the season contender in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park, narrowly won it for the Eagles.
David Moyes was actually re-hired only three days following the second defeat to Palace. Since his re-recruitment, and the start of this season, both Palace and West Ham play significantly differently to how they once did.
In December last year, Moyes arrived to see a defence that was error prone and, simply put, quite messy. After struggling to survival with a four at the back system, the man who guided Everton to four top six finishes from 2005-2009, switched to five at the back.
The Hammers have lost just 3 times from the 10 games they have started in this formation. Although, against Leeds United, and in the second half against Aston Villa, Moyes reverted to a four defender system that saw Cresswell move to left back. Maybe this is the system that Moyes prefers, having used it towards the end of last season. However, a five defender formation may prove more efficient against the two striker partnership of Palace.
After impressing in training – and his peers underperforming ahead of him – Christian Benteke has been a significant addition to the starting 11 for Palace. Due to the nature of Benteke – a strong, imposing figure – he has always occupied defenders. Over the last few weeks it seems he has re-found some of the other traits of his game that made him such a successful striker.
Despite a brace of goals headlining his return to the starting set-up against West Brom, it was actually his link-up and general play that was most impressive. The Belgian drops deeper into the field and allows any combination of Zaha, Eberechi Eze, and Jeffrey Schlupp, to run in behind him and pounce on his service.
José Mourinho complained about the ‘long ball style’ employed by Palace following Sunday’s draw, but maybe the three-time Premier League winner was more frustrated by his team’s inability to deal with them. Any long ball was aimed in front of the centre backs and on the head of Tottenham’s midfielders. Benteke ate them up – 12 of 14 aerial duels to be specific, the most of any player on the pitch – and Spurs’ centre halves were often left to ponder the pace of Zaha, Eze and Schlupp.
This is why it might be advantageous for West Ham to stick with three centre-halves. Benteke’s presence demands company by a similarly imposing player, such as Angelo Ogbonna. The Hammers will also need enough players to track the other Palace forwards working off of Benteke’s lay-offs and headers.
It would also allow the wing-backs, and Cresswell, to cause some chaos on the counter in response to Palace pushing men forward.
Whichever way Moyes decides to set-up, he will have a lot to think about. It seems he is trying to push his team to play with only four listed defenders, in order to better unleash an offence that now poses pace, flare, power and strength.
Team News
West Ham United
The festive season is upon us, meaning the threat of rotation ensues. Three of the attackers were notably substituted in the win against Leeds, so they should be fit to start.
Arthur Masauaku’s untimely injury may have forced Moyes’ hand to play four defenders. Cresswell started at left-back in his place.
Michail Antonio re-injured a troublesome hamstring in the win over Aston Villa almost a month ago and is likely to miss this upcoming fixture.
Andriy Yarmolenko may find a spot on the bench after recovering from a positive COVID-19 result.
Crystal Palace
There were no newly acquired injuries following the draw with Tottenham.
Long term injuries still hamper Wayne Hennessey (knee), Martin Kelly (calf) and Nathan Ferguson (thigh), although the latter has been fit enough to participate in selected first team training drills.
In what seems like a rarity, Palace have fit, first-team quality depth across the back four and in central midfield. Either one of Luka Milivojevic or James McCarthur could be rested, but not both. Meanwhile, replacing either of the full-backs would be a significant change in personnel, tactically, albeit a competent one. In saying that, Roy Hodgson isn’t a man of many rotations.
Predicted Starting XIs
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Balbuna, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals; Haller.
Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Guaita; Clyne, Kouyaté, Cahill, van Aanholt; Schlupp, Milivojevic, McCarthur, Eze; Benteke, Zaha.
Score Prediction: West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace
A score draw seems fitting for two evenly matched teams. It would also be a satisfactory result for the pair of clubs, who look like they will be fighting it out for a position in the top 10 as the season goes on. There is attacking talent aplenty and both sides are adept defensively. It’s a cliché, but it is hard to split them.
