---
title: "Mark Lawrenson predicts ‘close’ EPL clash for West Ham"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/01/01/mark-lawrenson-predicts-close-epl-clash-for-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-01-01T08:30:00Z"
modified: "2022-01-01T08:30:00Z"
---

# Mark Lawrenson predicts ‘close’ EPL clash for West Ham

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/12/31/west-ham-fans-react-to-unreal-ainsley-maitland-niles-reports/) will be looking to make it back to back Premier League wins after picking up three points last time out.

The Hammers picked up a much-need [victory over Watford](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/december/30-december/behind-scenes-watford-1-4-west-ham-united) having suffered a dip in form prior to the clash at Vicarage Road.

Now attention turns to a tricky meeting with an [impressive Crystal Palace outfit](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/patrick-vieira-crystal-palace-transformation-premier-league-conor-gallagher-wilfried-zaha-1308550) under Patrick Vieira.

The last time the two sides met ended in a 2-2 draw and writing for [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59828379), former Republic of Ireland international Mark Lawrenson has predicted something similar on this occasion.

> Both these sides enjoyed comfortable wins last time out, but West Ham probably needed theirs more because they had started to look a bit leggy. This should be a good game, because Crystal Palace will think they can get at the Hammers, and vice versa. I think it’s going to be close, which is why I am going for a draw.

The 64-year-old tipped a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park as David Moyes’ side look to move [back within touching distance](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) of the top four.

Moyes will welcome Declan Rice back to the fold following suspension whilst Aaron Cresswell is [expected to miss out](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/david-moyes-west-ham-kurt-zouma-aaron-cresswell-injury-latest-2021-premier-league-b974347.html) once again.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Away trips outside of the top three don’t come much more difficult than this at the [end of a busy period](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) of the season.

Palace look rejuvenated under Vieira and in Conor Gallagher, the hosts pose a [real threat](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-gallagher/leistungsdaten/spieler/488362) from midfield.

Moyes’ men will want to impose themselves on the fixture and the Scot will hope the likes of Michail Antonio, Said Benrahma and an [in-form Jarrod Bowen](https://www.sofascore.com/player/jarrod-bowen/552884) influence the outcome.