Paul Merson predicts West Ham United result v Crystal Palace in Premier League
Paul Merson has made his prediction for the Premier League clash between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday (21 April).
West Ham prepare to face fellow London side Crystal Palace looking to keep their hopes of European qualification alive, but Merson doesn't think they'll have the ability to produce their best performance against an in-form home side
After the Eagles defeated title hopefuls Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, Merson told Sportskeeda that Palace's latest performance, coupled with West Ham playing against Bayer Leverkusen in a Europa League quarter-final just three days prior, will result in a 2-0 victory for the hosts at Selhurst Park.
"Crystal Palace were outstanding against Liverpool and got a statement result with their 1-0 win at Anfield last weekend. The Reds missed chance after chance, but Palace's front three caused them a handful of problems, particularly in the first half", Merson said.
"West Ham's focus will be on the second leg of their Europa League clash against Bayer Leverkusen. David Moyes' side are like a bag of revels and will likely be knackered after their European engagements, so I'm going for a Palace win."
West Ham must bounce back from Leverkusen loss against Palace
West Ham go into their latest Premier League match against Palace having pushed recently-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen all the way in the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium on 18 April.
With less than 72 hours between that quarter-final exit and a trip south of the River Thames to Selhurst Park, the jury is out on whether David Moyes' side will be able to back up their strong performance against Leverkusen.
Having welcomed back key forward Jarrod Bowen against Leverkusen and striker Michail Antonio scoring early on, The Hammers may feel inclined to attack Palace from the off on Sunday 21 April.
But, after the Eagles weathered Liverpool's storm at Anfield last time out, they'll feel more than happy soaking up pressure as an increasingly tired - or "knackered", to quote Merson - West Ham side try to break down their defence.
A win over Palace could take West Ham up to sixth in the Premier League table should results go their way, and after pushing the still-unbeaten German champions all the way at the London Stadium, who is to say the Irons can't do so again at Selhurst Park?
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