West Ham versus Crystal Palace match prediction focus: James Milton expresses high confidence in West Ham's victory
Leeds United and Crystal Palace are gearing up for an exciting weekend of Premier League action, with both teams boasting new signings who have made an immediate impact.
Anton Stach, a midfielder for Leeds, has been a creative force since his arrival in the summer transfer window. The German has already taken ten shots in his first three outings against Everton, Arsenal, and Newcastle. His tally of 11 created chances is only bettered by Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes this season.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's recent recruitment includes the signing of Yeremy Pino, a Spain winger. Pino made his first Premier League start last weekend against Sunderland, and he didn't disappoint. He took three of Palace's five corners and had more shots than any other Palace player in the match. In fact, he racked up five attempts in just 71 minutes in Tuesday's EFL Cup tie against Millwall.
Andoni Iraola, the manager of Bournemouth, hopes to exploit any fatigue from Newcastle's midweek Champions League defeat to Barcelona, while West Ham will be wary of Bournemouth's all-action winger, Antoine Semenyo. Semenyo has amassed three goals, two assists, one yellow card, and 12 shots in his first four matches in 2025-26. However, his aggressive pressing can get him in trouble with referees, averaging two fouls per 90 minutes this term.
The matches between Wolves and Leeds, and Bournemouth vs Newcastle are scheduled for 3pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday respectively. The match between West Ham and Crystal Palace is also scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.
West Ham has struggled to defend set pieces this season, which could be a concern against Palace. On the other hand, Wolves have conceded nine goals in three league and cup games against Manchester City, West Ham, and Everton this term.
Leeds' new forwards like Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be key to their performance against Wolves, while solid defensive contributions from signings like Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw will be crucial.
Rob Jones, the referee for Bournemouth vs Newcastle, showed seven yellow cards in Wales's recent friendly against Canada. With Semenyo's aggressive style and Newcastle's potential fatigue, we can expect a lively and potentially tense encounter.
In conclusion, the weekend's Premier League fixtures promise to be an exciting spectacle, with both Leeds and Crystal Palace's new signings set to play a significant role. Fans can look forward to watching these talented players in action as they strive to help their teams secure valuable points.