West Ham vs Crystal Palace | PL | 18.1.25 | Predictions and Match Thread

[stubbo-admin]

Match Centre:

Odds:
West Ham: 9/5
Draw: 5/2
Crystal Palace: 17/10

Pre-Match Press Conference:
Official Press Conference

Tactical Preview: 
Babbling Irons

Watch-along:
Hammers Chat Watchalong

Streams:

SportHD 

(With all live streams be mindful they can carry viruses etc.  Don't click on any ads and use a VPN).
  

[Jean-Luc Paul Goddard]

When operating a back 3 Potter tends to prefer having at least one of the centre backs being able to act as a full back when attacking so it makes sense to put Cresswell there rather than to blood Casey or push back Alvarez. Cresswell was very good in that role a few years back, doubling up down the flank with Masuaku, but he just seems so past it now that it would be a surprise if he doesn't struggle. 

Thinking about it, I reckon it would make more sense to have AWB in the RCB role and Coufal as the RWB. Perhaps the plan is to switch to that mid game as neither one of them can last 90 mins.

[northbankfrank]

The meltdown on this site would have been most entertaining if Moyes had started a game with this line up.

[Jean-Luc Paul Goddard]

When operating a back 3 Potter tends to prefer having at least one of the centre backs being able to act as a full back when attacking so it makes sense to put Cresswell there rather than to blood Casey or push back Alvarez. Cresswell was very good in that role a few years back, doubling up down the flank with Masuaku, but he just seems so past it now that it would be a surprise if he doesn't struggle. 

[Ron Eff]

I’m not going to call it a shocking line up from a manager who seems flexible to picking teams based on the opposition, who also has limited options. Palace’s strength is the three forwards. Their midfield pretty weak. Makes sense to nullify those three with an extra, experienced body. In fact, left of a back three is the only position Cresswell can play now. 

[Jean-Luc Paul Goddard]

All hammers you can watch the match here

https://betisports.com

I think you mean, "you can watch the match here for 5 minutes. After that it will stop unless you stump up some dosh."

[Andriy65]

All hammers you can watch the match here

https://betisports.com

[onsideman]

That line up would worry me immensely with the last two managers. However in GP I trust. He will have done some homework to get what he can out of them. 

That's kind of how I feel. Hope I'm vindicated 

[fraser]

Gonna give him the benefit of the doubt.. Till u see how we go. Maybe he thinks tye best way to play against them is with wingbacks and there isn't really anyone else other than Cresswell 

Emerson will be the wingback, Cresswell inside. 

Obviously... We we hope it's obvious..

That's what I meant nobody else for cb

[Takashi Miike]

Gonna give him the benefit of the doubt.. Till u see how we go. Maybe he thinks tye best way to play against them is with wingbacks and there isn't really anyone else other than Cresswell 

Emerson will be the wingback, Cresswell inside. 

[Keep dreaming]

Fabianski

Mavropanos. Kilman. Cresswell

Wan Bissaka Alvarez Rodriguez. Emerson

Kudus. Soucek

Paqueta

Something like that assumedly?

I don't like it but that's what it should be

 

 

Switch Kudus and Paqueta 

[El Scorchio]

That line up would worry me immensely with the last two managers. However in GP I trust. He will have done some homework to get what he can out of them. 

[fraser]

Gonna give him the benefit of the doubt.. Till u see how we go. Maybe he thinks tye best way to play against them is with wingbacks and there isn't really anyone else other than Cresswell 

[Takashi Miike]

Fabianski

Mavropanos. Kilman. Cresswell

Wan Bissaka Alvarez Rodriguez. Emerson

Kudus. Soucek

Paqueta

Something like that assumedly?

I don't like it but that's what it should be

[stubbo]

Fabianski

Mavropanos. Kilman. Cresswell

Wan Bissaka Alvarez Rodriguez. Emerson

Kudus. Soucek

Paqueta

Something like that assumedly?

[Keep dreaming]

That's a weird lineup. Is this because there are more injuries, or plainly bus parking? Or is it because we are going to try a 442 with Kudus and Paqueta up top, pr a 352?

Nevertheless, a perfect sign of how weak our squad is.
 

[Takashi Miike]

clearly Potter wasn't lying about talking to Mr West Ham, his mate's back in the team

[twoleftfeet]

I guess AWB & Emerson will provide the width with Soucek, Kudus & Paqueta between them.

It’s experimental but at least he is doing something different.

[Any Old Iron]

Cressy and the bubble at centre back!! Shirley not. That line up does not fill me with confidence. 

[Manuel]

Fuck me, that's a shocking line up.

[Takashi Miike]

Cresswell & Emerson, fuck me sideways , it's like cementing the bus rather than parking it

[twoleftfeet]

Cresswell at centre back I guess then?

Weird line up.

[goose]

I gave up trying to decipher the starting XI a while back.

No striker and no Summerville. 
 

[twoleftfeet]

As i said could go either way.  

However they are below us so can't be THAT good.
We've already beaten them too.

But as I said it would be typical of weat ham to promise something good only to turn to shite

Careful, twoleftbraincells will be along shortly with his inane fishing emojis.

Mad dog is a West Ham fan so no need for the fishing emojis

[twoleftfeet]

I'm actually not feeling over confident today.   Could go either way
if summerville is back and the players are up
for it.  A win is likely
however of were still injury ravaged and any of teh players revert back to the cowards they've been all
season we could come unstuck.  Would be typical west ham

if you see any reason why we could win then you are a lot more confident than me!

[fraser]

Only change Cresswell for Soler, has to be wingbacks