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5 Key Battles That Will Decide The West Ham Vs Crystal Palace London Derby: Nuno’s Crisis Clash At Selhurst Park

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The Premier League’s festive period kicks off with a high-stakes London Derby, as Crystal Palace host West Ham United in a crucial Matchweek 17 fixture. This game, set for Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Selhurst Park, is shaping up to be far more than a local rivalry; it is a vital test for both managers, with West Ham’s new boss, Nuno Espírito Santo, under intense scrutiny following a difficult start to his tenure. The Hammers are desperately seeking a turnaround, while Oliver Glasner's Palace side aim to solidify their mid-table position and continue their strong home form against their rivals.

The history between these two clubs is one of unpredictability, often resulting in high-scoring draws or narrow victories. With West Ham struggling for consistency—registering only two wins in their last eight home games—and Palace looking to bounce back from a recent defeat, the tactical battle between the two experienced European managers will be the defining factor in who claims the three points and the bragging rights in South London.

The State of the Clubs: Managerial Battles and December Form

The narrative surrounding this fixture is dominated by the contrasting pressures on the two men in the dugout: Oliver Glasner and Nuno Espírito Santo.

Oliver Glasner: Crystal Palace’s Tactical Conductor

  • Full Name: Oliver Glasner
  • Nationality: Austrian
  • Age: 51 (as of December 2025, estimated)
  • Current Role: Head Coach, Crystal Palace FC
  • Style: Known for a high-intensity, vertical, and often aggressive attacking approach, typically favouring a back-three system.
  • Recent Form: Mixed, but generally solid at home. Glasner has instilled a clear tactical identity, focusing on exploiting the pace of wingers like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.

Nuno Espírito Santo: West Ham’s New Era

  • Full Name: Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo
  • Nationality: Portuguese
  • Age: 51 (as of December 2025)
  • Current Role: Head Coach, West Ham United FC
  • Appointment Date: September 27, 2025
  • Predecessor: Replaced Graham Potter, who was sacked following a poor start to the 2025/2026 season.
  • Style: Typically pragmatic and well-organised, focusing on defensive solidity and quick transitions, often using a 4-2-3-1 formation.
  • Recent Form: Poor. West Ham is struggling for wins, highlighted by their recent 0-2 loss to Liverpool and only two home victories in the last eight matches. Nuno's main challenge is to quickly implement his philosophy and restore confidence in the squad.

The pressure is firmly on Nuno Espírito Santo. Appointed in late September 2025, he has had a short window to impact the team, and the results have yet to follow. A loss at Selhurst Park could see the Hammers slide further down the table, making this a pivotal moment in their season. For Glasner, it’s about tactical consistency and ensuring his side converts dominance into goals, especially given the congested December fixture list.

5 Key Battles That Will Decide the London Derby

The outcome of this crucial derby will hinge on several individual and tactical duels across the pitch. Here are the five most decisive matchups:

1. Eberechi Eze vs. West Ham’s Midfield Pivot (Mateus Fernandes & James Ward-Prowse)

Eberechi Eze is Crystal Palace’s creative heartbeat. His ability to carry the ball, draw fouls, and deliver incisive passes from the number 10 role will be the primary threat to the West Ham defence. Nuno Espírito Santo is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1, with a midfield double-pivot likely featuring Mateus Fernandes and the experienced James Ward-Prowse. Their mission will be to suffocate Eze's space, prevent him from turning, and limit his influence in the final third. If Eze can operate freely between the lines, he will unlock the West Ham defence with ease.

2. Jarrod Bowen vs. Tyrick Mitchell

Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s most consistent attacking threat, known for his relentless energy, intelligent runs, and clinical finishing. He will face Tyrick Mitchell, the Palace left-back who has a history of stepping up in this fixture, notably scoring a stunning volley in a recent 2-1 victory away at West Ham. This is a battle of attacking flair against defensive grit. Bowen’s movement off the ball versus Mitchell’s positional discipline and counter-attacking threat will be a fascinating duel on the flank.

3. The Centre-Backs: Konstantinos Mavropanos vs. Jean-Philippe Mateta

With West Ham's defence under scrutiny, the performance of Konstantinos Mavropanos will be key. He will be tasked with containing Palace’s powerful centre-forward, likely Jean-Philippe Mateta, who excels at holding up the ball and bringing others into play. This is a classic centre-back versus striker battle of strength and aerial dominance. Mateta’s ability to win the first header and create space for the Palace wingers could be the platform for a home victory.

4. Oliver Glasner's System vs. Nuno's Defensive Structure

The overarching tactical battle is between the two managers' philosophies. Glasner's Crystal Palace often employs a high-pressing, attacking style focused on quick transitions and exploiting the wide areas. Nuno's West Ham, especially given their poor form, will likely be more pragmatic, aiming for a compact defensive shape and looking to hit Palace on the counter-attack, using the pace of their wide players. The team that wins the midfield battle and dictates the tempo will likely win the match.

5. Goalkeeper Command: Alphonse Areola vs. Dean Henderson (or Sam Johnstone)

In a high-pressure derby, goalkeeping errors can be decisive. West Ham's Alphonse Areola is a vital presence, not just for shot-stopping but for commanding his box against set pieces and high crosses. For Palace, the choice between Dean Henderson and Sam Johnstone, or whoever is preferred by Glasner, will be important. The goalkeeper who can maintain focus, organise the defence, and make one crucial save will be the unsung hero of the day.

Team News, Injuries, and Predicted Lineups (December 20, 2025)

Injury updates, last refreshed on December 18, 2025, show both sides dealing with absences, which will force managerial decisions.

Crystal Palace Injury and Team News

Oliver Glasner faces a few selection headaches. Key players such as Caleb Kporha (Back) and Cheick are on the injury list. Additionally, there are doubts over the fitness of Adam Wharton, who has an outside chance of making the squad. Forward Ismaila Sarr is also expected to be out for the fixture.

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Guéhi; Clyne, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Olise, Eze; Mateta.

West Ham United Injury and Team News

Nuno Espírito Santo will be boosted by the recent return of Niclas Fullkrug, providing a much-needed attacking option. However, the Hammers are still managing a few long-term concerns. The team will likely adopt a slightly more conservative approach to secure a result away from home.

West Ham United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Areola; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Fernandes, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Paquetá, Bowen; Fullkrug.

Final Prediction: A Tight, Tactical Affair

This match has all the ingredients of a classic, tense London Derby. West Ham, under Nuno, are desperate to stop the rot and will prioritise defensive stability. Crystal Palace, under Glasner, will aim to exploit the spaces on the flanks and rely on the individual brilliance of Eze and Olise at Selhurst Park. Given West Ham's poor run of form and the pressure on Nuno, combined with Palace's recent victory against the Hammers at the London Stadium, the momentum slightly favours the home side. Expect a narrow victory for Crystal Palace, but not without a significant fight from the visitors.

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 2 - 1 West Ham United

5 Key Battles That Will Decide the West Ham vs Crystal Palace London Derby: Nuno’s Crisis Clash at Selhurst Park
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