Crystal Palace and West Ham United face each other at the Turf Moor in a match from the Boxing Day

Crystal Palace and West Ham United face each other at the Turf Moor in a match from the Boxing Day round of the Premier League. Let’s examine this fixture in our English Premier League predictions.

Crystal Palace are without a win in their last three games in the league. Despite of this, Roy Hodgson’s team is 12th in the league with 23 points and being on a healthy distance from the relegation zone. But they can do a little bit better and Hodgson knows this.

Few days ago Crystal Palace visited Newcastle United at the St. James’ Park and went home with empty hands after a 0-1 loss. We can say that Palace were pretty close to win a point there, but the Paraguyan international Miguel Almiron scored a winner for Newcastle just 7 minutes before the end.

Roy Hodgson has some problems before the next game. Jeffery Schlupp, Gary Cahill, Andros Townsend and Joel Ward are all sidelined with injuries, so they won’t feature against the Hammers.

The Hammers – how are they doing right now? Well, it could have been better for them, that’s for sure. Right now West Ham are 16th in the standings with 19 points and just 4 points ahead of the 18th Aston Villa. The manager Manuel Pellegrini could have been sacked already, but he kept his head after the crucial 1-0 win over Southampton at the St. Mary’s few days ago. It was Sebastian Haller who scored the winning goal for the Londoners.

Manuel Pellegrini can’t use some of his players against Crystal Palace on Thursday. Ryan Fredericks in suspended for the game, while David Martin, Jack Wilshere, Lucasz Fabianski and Manuel Lanzini are all sidelined with injuries.

In our English Premier League predictions we expect an interesting game between Crystal Palace and West Ham and a solid tactical duel between two experienced managers. This game could be important for the future of Manuel Pellegrini.