After playing six of their last eight competitive games on the road, Crystal Palace will be hoping to turn their faltering season around when they host Hoffenheim in the UEFA Europa League (UEL), their first of four matches at Selhurst Park from their next five fixtures across all competitions.
Match News and Current Form
European football could be a welcome distraction for Crystal Palace, who sit in the Premier League relegation zone but bring into this matchday a run of seven European home games without defeat (W5, D2). Their only UEL match at Selhurst Park so far this season saw the Eagles thrash Lech Poznań 4-0, a result which came in the midst of a September during which they suffered only one defeat across all tournaments (W3, D1). After their fortunes took a turn for the worse in October (W2, D1, L4), Pierre Sage already finds himself under pressure after his June appointment, and now trying to motivate a side that have lost four of their last six competitive fixtures (W1, D1).
Following a penalty shootout defeat in the DFB-Pokal and a 2-0 loss in the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim will conclude a run of three successive competitive away matches with this visit to south London. Prior to these three trips, Christian Ilzer’s side had won three games in a row across all competitions, including a 3-0 victory at home against Lyon in the UEL. That success came after losses to both OFI Crete & Beşiktaş in the opening two rounds of the league stage and gives the Kraichgauers the opportunity to record back-to-back European wins for the first time since 2020/21, although they have returned home victorious from only one of their last six European away trips (D2, L3).
Head-to-Head History
This is the first time Crystal Palace will take on German opposition, while Hoffenheim have lost all five of their European clashes against English sides including qualifiers.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Crystal Palace have not conceded the first goal in any of their last seven home European games.
There were over 3.5 total goals scored in each of Crystal Palace’s three UEL fixtures this season.
All five of Hoffenheim’s European games against English teams saw both teams score.
Ten of Hoffenheim’s 13 competitive matches this season produced over 2.5 goals.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Yeremy Pino recorded Crystal Palace’s opener in all three of their European games this season while Adam Hložek scored in Hoffenheim’s last European match and has contributed directly to their last two goals in competitive away fixtures (G1, A1).
Both sides appear to have got through the weekend without further injuries.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Both teams have seen plenty of goals at either end of the pitch so far this season, so backing over 2.5 total goals looks like a smart move.
Author: Tom Penn