Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Mon 20 April 2026 15:10, UK

West Ham United will need goals to win games and ultimately keep their Premier League status ahead of next season.

Goalscoring has often been an issue for the Hammers, who have a long-winded history of number nines coming through the doors and failing to hit the expected heights.

Taty Castellanos’ and Pablo’s arrival had been hoped to end that, and there have been signs that they may be the answer despite goals not arriving as much as they would want.

However, once again, the Irons are begging for the ball to hit the back of the net on a more frequent basis.

While Nuno Espirito Santo’s side struck four past Wolves last week, the Portuguese manager will know better than seeing it as a true sign West Ham have turned a corner, as the Old Gold are last in the league.

Why West Ham must be braver to create chances

West Ham will have to be braver in the attacking areas if they want to avoid relegation.

The Irons are struggling to get shooting opportunities in recent weeks but have been able to find the net. This will undoubtedly be unsustainable.

However, as revealed by Sky Sports, among the relegation candidates, including West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Tottenham, it is the Hammers who have taken the fewest number of shots since 13 March.

In that period, Nuno’s side has taken 28 shots which have resulted in five goals. Only Nottingham Forest have more goals over the same timeframe.

This leaves the Irons with a goals-per-shot ratio of 5.6. Once more, only Nottingham Forest are better with a slightly better ratio of 5.5.

Overall, though, the lack of shots and the number of goals scored showcase it is not a finishing issue in E20 but rather an issue of getting the ball to the forwards.

That is further backed up by the East London outfit having the lowest shots on target per match out of the aforementioned sides with 3.5.

Yes, while five goals from 28 shots is a positive total, this has simply been an outlier in the Irons’ season.

West Ham will need to be clinical against Crystal Palace

Tonight’s opponents Crystal Palace retain the third best defence in the Premier League, conceding just 36 goals over 32 games.

This means the Hammers will need to be on top form if they wish to get all three points at Selhurst Park.

Tomas Soucek will be key for West Ham, as the Czech midfielder often has some of his best games against the Eagles.

This is an opportunity Nuno cannot let slip past, as the chance to go four points clear of Tottenham offers breathing room at the bottom of the table.

Hopefully it will be joy for the Hammers in London tonight.