Overview
In just 12 months, Crystal Palace is facing the opportunity to own another major title, as they are only 3 matches away from the UEFA Europa Conference League championship. If successful, they will complete the collection of titles after the FA Cup and the English Super Cup won in 2025.
Oliver Glasner's team basically completed their task against Fiorentina in the quarter-finals. Despite losing 1-2 in the second leg, a 3-0 victory in the first leg was enough to help them win a ticket to the next round and set up a highly anticipated confrontation with Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals.
Despite the departure of a series of key players such as Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi - along with the possibility that Glasner will also leave - Palace still maintains stability. However, their realistic goal for the rest of the season is still to compete for a European cup spot, when the average position in the Premier League is the most likely scenario.
Before round 33, Crystal Palace ranked 13th in the standings. Although they have not officially avoided relegation in theory, they still have a chance to squeeze into the European Cup group, especially when they have one match to play against their surrounding opponents.
The 2-1 victory over Newcastle United last weekend helped Palace win 7/9 maximum points in the last 3 matches. Notably, they are unbeaten in 6 consecutive matches at Selhurst Park in all competitions, conceding only 1 goal.
On the opposite side, West Ham United entered the match with a more realistic goal of relegation. Under the leadership of Nuno Espirito Santo, the London team is trying to escape the danger zone.
The 4-0 victory over Wolves has helped West Ham temporarily surpass the relegation zone, while ending a 3-match winless streak.
West Ham's away form also shows signs of improvement when winning 4/7 recent matches in all competitions, after the early season only winning 1/11 matches. Despite defeating Palace 2-0 in the first leg last season, Santo's team has lost twice in a row to this opponent in 2025.
Crystal Palace is currently facing the opportunity for the first time in history to win three consecutive victories against West Ham in the Premier League.
Personnel situation
Crystal Palace's entry into the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals also comes with personnel losses. Both Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix were injured in the first half of the match against Fiorentina - one had a groin muscle problem, and the other suffered a knee injury.
The possibility of this duo playing in the upcoming match is still open, but the limited recovery time makes it likely that they will be absent. Besides, Eddie Nketiah (hamstrings), Cheick Doucoure (not yet fit) and Evann Guessand (knee) are definitely unable to participate.
However, good news came from Jean-Philippe Mateta when leaving the field in the middle of the recent match was only for precaution. The French striker is confirmed to be fully fit to lead the attack, in the context that he is approaching the 50-goal milestone in the Premier League - currently having 48 goals after a double against Newcastle United.
On the other side, Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has recovered from a back injury and is ready to return to the West Ham goal.
In the victory against Wolves, Taty Castellanos and Dinos Mavropanos were the scorers, while Jarrod Bowen continued to play the leading role with two assists - increasing the total number to 7 assists after 13 matches in the Premier League in 2026.
Expected lineup:
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Canvot, Richards, Riad, Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa, Sarr, Johnson, Mateta.
West Ham: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Bowen, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville, Pablo, Castellanos.
The match between Crystal Palace and West Ham takes place at 2:00 AM on April 21 (Vietnam time).
