Crystal Palace kick off 2025/26 riding high from last season’s FA Cup win, topped off by beating Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield last weekend, but still face doubts over their top-half credentials in the Premier League.
Palace have become top-flight regulars since earning back promotion in 2013, but they’ve also become synonymous with mid-table struggles.
Over the past 12 years, they’ve secured just two top-half finishes and have never cracked the top nine, settling for 12th place last season despite achieving success elsewhere.
However, manager Oliver Glasner is steering the club in the right direction.
The Austrian led the Eagles to FA Cup glory at the expense of Manchester City, helping them win the first piece of major silverware in the club’s history.
Glasner must be keen to build on that triumph, yet a lack of transfer activity may derail Palace’s chances of fighting higher up the Premier League table.
Without further ado, here is our Palace season preview for 2025/26.
Crystal Palace Fixtures
Palace’s Premier League season kicks off as they travel across the capital to take on Chelsea in round one before hosting Nottingham Forest the following week.
Palace’s first stern test after their visit to Stamford Bridge comes in late September as they entertain a new-look Liverpool at home, over a month before they meet Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The schedule becomes more brutal heading into the final stage of the calendar year, with Glasner’s side trading tackles with Manchester United and Manchester City on home turf in less than a fortnight.
Boxing Day brings a highly anticipated London derby against Tottenham Hotspur (H), while they finish the calendar year against Fulham.
A visit to St James’ Park to lock horns with Newcastle United serves to kick things off in 2026, though the first gruelling stretch of fixtures won’t arrive until late February.
After an away clash against Man Utd, Palace meet Tottenham (A), Leeds United (H) and Man City (A) in succession, which could decide the course of their season.
Their campaign ends at home against Arsenal.
Manager
After a highly successful spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, Glasner replaced legendary Palace boss Roy Hodgson in February 2024 and inspired the club to a 10th-place finish in his first year in England.
Last season was less impressive in terms of their league finish, but a stunning FA Cup triumph may have laid the groundwork for a brighter future.
Glasner maintained Hodgson’s legacy by keeping the Eagles solid at the back, but the team lost some of its attacking dynamism, barely reaching the 50-goal mark in the Premier League last term.
Like his predecessor, Glasner is not a big fan of possession. He prefers counter-attacking football and quick transition while paying special attention to set-pieces.
These key elements were the backbone of Palace’s historic run in the FA Cup, but with several quality additions in attack, the Eagles could aim higher in the Premier League.
However, Glasner cannot be pleased with the club’s transfer policy.
Transfers
Despite last season’s success, the Eagles have been quiet in the transfer window.
Borna Sosa’s arrival from Ajax remains their most exciting summer signing, alongside the addition of Walter Benitez from PSV Eindhoven on a Bosman deal.
It feels like the club has made keeping hold of their standout stars a top priority.
Palace have resisted mounting interest in standout performer Eberechi Eze and leading striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with plans to build the team around the duo.
However, they’ve parted ways with several fringe players.
Rob Holding and Joel Ward have left as free agents, while Jeffrey Schlupp joined Norwich City on a season-long loan.
Starting XI
Glasner has never deviated from his favourite 3-4-2-1 formation, even in times of injury crises. As such, Palace will likely line up in this set-up next term.
Bentiez’s arrival changes nothing for star goalkeeper Dean Henderson, whose safe pair of gloves made him one of the club’s best players last season.
Captain Marc Guehi has a guaranteed starting berth, with Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards forming the remainder of Glasner’s back three.
Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Munoz have been outstanding on the flanks and will most likely retain their places in the starting line-up.
Despite form fluctuations, Daichi Kamada should be Adam Wharton’s partner in the middle of the park, although Will Hughes could still challenge for a spot.
Moving higher up the pitch, Ismaila Sarr and Eze will likely continue to provide pace and creativity on the wings, with Mateta acting as a lone striker.
(3-4-2-1): Henderson; Guehi, Lacroix, Richards; Mithcell, Kamada, Wharton, Munoz; Eze, Sarr; Mateta.
Star Player
Despite intense speculation linking him with a big-money transfer to Arsenal, Eze looks close to staying at Selhurst Park for at least one more season.
Palace’s FA Cup hero has been at the centre of wild transfer rumours this summer, but the club appears determined to keep their talisman.
Eze’s numbers last year were not mind-blowing as he racked up eight goals and eight assists in 34 league appearances.
However, his overall performances were often breathtaking as he established himself as the team’s main creative force.
Palace’s defensive-minded approach also partly explains the 27-year-old’s unenviable scoring tally.
Prediction
Another season-long fight for the Premier League mid-table looks like a virtual certainty for Palace.
While Glasner probably doesn’t have to worry about keeping the Eagles in the top flight, it’s hard to imagine the London outfit battling in the higher rankings.
There’s still time for the club to make the squad more competitive, but cautious transfer activity suggests they’ll focus on staying afloat rather than a major push up the table.
Steve Parish could still reward his overachieving manager with one or two decent signings, which could redefine Palace’s expectations and make them viable top-half contenders.
As things stand, last season’s 12th-place finish looks like the ceiling of Palace’s ambitions.
Predicted finish: 12th.
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Read Next: Our full Premier League 2025/26 preview (with links to all individual Premier League team previews).
