West Ham vs Crystal Palace head into the London Stadium derby under serious pressure. A poor start has left West Ham in or hovering around the relegation zone, having shipped eight goals in their first two home games.
Graham Potter, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract in January, has reaffirmed his dedication to the club’s long-term vision, calling for patience from fans amidst growing frustration and planned protests before kickoff.
Midfielder Tomáš Souček is serving a three-match suspension following his red card against Tottenham, but Lucas Paquetá has returned from injury to strengthen West Ham’s midfield.
Crystal Palace arrive unbeaten in their last four league matches, sporting one of the stingiest defenses among clubs outside the so-called “Big Six.” Manager Oliver Glasner, who is entering the final year of his contract, has emphasised steady progress despite swirling transfer links around captain Marc Guehi.
Premier League teams West Ham United host Crystal Palace in a crunch London derby, with both sides looking to stabilise their seasons.
The Hammers aim to put recent disappointment behind them, while Palace hope their defensive shape and confidence away from home will pay dividends.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace Match Preview – Team News, Recent Form, H2H & Prediction
This East vs South London clash could prove pivotal in the race for European qualification, featuring tactical battles across midfield and key individual matchups.
- Teams: West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
- Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
- Time: 15:00 BST (14:00 UTC)
- Venue: London Stadium, London, England
- Competition: Premier League 2025–26 (Matchweek 6)
- Referee: Tony Harrington
- Current Position –
- West Ham United – 18th
- Crystal Palace – 9th
Recent Form of West Ham and Crystal Palace
West Ham have managed two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five league games, showing resilience but also moments of inconsistency.
Crystal Palace’s form reads one win, three draws, and one loss, with half of their recent fixtures ending goalless.
- West Ham: W2–D2–L1 (Wins vs Bournemouth, Wolves; Draws vs Everton, Brighton; Loss vs Newcastle)
- Crystal Palace: W1–D3–L1 (Win vs Burnley; Draws vs Leeds, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest; Loss vs Arsenal)
West Ham vs Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Record
In their last five Premier League meetings, West Ham have won twice, Palace once, and two matches ended in draws.
| Statistic | West Ham United | Crystal Palace | Draws | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
West Ham vs Crystal Palace Team News
- West Ham will be without Tomáš Souček, who is serving a three-match suspension following his red card at Tottenham.
- Defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also ruled out due to injury.
- George Earthy is a doubt for West Ham owing to a knock.
- For Crystal Palace, there are concerns over Adam Wharton (muscle issue) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring injury) as they might miss the fixture.
- Winger Ismaila Sarr remains sidelined by a hamstring problem; he’s targeting a return later in the month.
- Chadi Riad is recovering from a knee injury and is edging closer to full fitness; availability for this match is unlikely.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace – Possible Starting Lineups
- West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Hermansen (GK) — Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf — Ward-Prowse, Paqueta — Bowen, Fernandes, Summerville — Wilson
- Crystal Palace (3-4-3): Henderson (GK) — Richards, Lacroix, Guehi — Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell — Pino, Kamada, Mateta
Key Battles
- Declan Rice vs Cheick Doucouré: Midfield duel for tempo and control.
- Jarrod Bowen vs Tyrick Mitchell: Pace and crossing against defensive solidity on the flank.
Tactical Overview
- West Ham United: Emphasis on set-pieces, high pressing, and quick transitions through wide areas.
- Crystal Palace: Deep defensive block, disciplined midfield shape, and direct counters led by Wilfried Zaha alternatives.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace Prediction
West Ham’s home advantage and Soucek’s return boost their chances, but Palace’s organized defense and counterattack threat suggest a tight contest.
- Predicted Score: West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace
How to Watch West Ham vs Crystal Palace
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event (Sky Go streaming)
- USA: Peacock Premium (Peacock app)
- Canada: TSN4 (TSN Direct)
- Australia: Optus Sport (Optus Sport app)