Crystal Palace begin their first ever venture into European competition on Thursday as they welcome Fredrikstad of Norway to Selhurst Park in the first-leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff qualifying-round tie. Whereas Oliver Glasner and his men suffered the humrowning controversy of being demoted to this tournament by UEFA ruling of not allowing multi-club ownership, Fredrikstad were downgraded as they suffered a crushing defeat to the hands of Midtjylland in the Europa League qualifiers.
Both teams need to cling on to some sort of lead to bring back to the Norway leg so it is likely to be a fascinating endurance test of the mettle of Palace against a flagging Fredrikstad team.
Match Preview
The end of the 2024/25 season was a historic one as Crystal Palace finally won their first major trophy beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final due to the goal of Eberechi Eze. Such impetus came to this season when Palace shocked Liverpool in the Community Shield, before winning 2-2 on penalties.
Chelsea, in their opening game of the Premier League season, would serve as an even source of VAR controversy as an Eze free-kick was ruled out, and they settled with a 0-0 draw. The situation of off-field uncertainty over the future of Eze and Marc Guehi continues to create a distraction, although Glasner will be hopeful that his players can remain focused as they enter into unknown European territory.
The story is somewhat different at home Where Palace are unbeaten in their past seven matches (W5, D2) they will want to continue this streak against a visit to Southampton on Thursday.
However, Fredrikstad comes to London in a bad situation. In spite of encouraging start to domestic season, Andreas Hagen side has made a poor start, as they lost in six out of 10 matches. The Norwegian outfit have won only two of their previous 14 encounters and they were thrashed 5-1 by Midtjylland over the 2-legs tie in Europa League qualifiers.
Their form away is of the specific concern: Fredrikstad has not won the last seven matches away, losing four and drawing three. Jetting back to Europe after 1985, the Aristocrats have a mammoth task of turning the tide against Palace.
Team News
Crystal Palace:
Oliver Glasner is going to deal with a number of injury absentees. All are sidelined in the form of Caleb Kporha, Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure, Daichi Kamada, Eddie Nketiah and Matheus Franca. But important men Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi could stay where they are despite the current transfer rumours. Glasner can shift a little with Borna Sosa and Romain Esse fighting to get on the pitch but the core of the team that earned a draw against Chelsea should stay the same.
Fredrikstad:
The club top scorer now with six goals, striker Emil Holten should make a come back to the starting XI after appearing on the bench against Midtjylland. Hagen will not want to do radical changes on other positions, and a trio of Oskar Ohlenschlaeger, Leonard Owusu and Patrick Metcalfe should offer balance in the midfield. Stian Molde and Simen Rafn, the wide players are two of the players who should maintain their positions.
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1):
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Esse, Eze; Mateta
Fredrikstad (3-5-2):
Borsheim; Woledzi, Fredriksen, S Owusu; Rafn, Metcalfe, L Owusu, Ohlenschlaeger, Molde; Skogvold, Holten
Prediction
They should be much too good even at home where they are unbeaten, and have now built up their form around the confidence of the home field. As Eze will be the architect in the side and Jean-Philippe Mateta the spearhead in the attack, the Eagles should take the game to the hosts and create a healthy lead back home.
We say: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fredrikstad
