Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan Europa League Tips & Prediction - Palace faces Polish champions in Europa League debut
Crystal Palace make their Europa League debut against Polish champions Lech Poznan, but their position as strong favorites is questionable. Palace's defense has been shaky, conceding 11 goals in the Premier League so far, while Lech Poznan have demonstrated strong attacking form with 15 goals in qualifying and recent positive results. The smart prediction is for both teams to score, with value on a potential draw. Jorgen-Strand Larsen emerges as the key goal threat for Palace, but this match looks finely balanced and could end all square.
- Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan predictions for Thursday's Europa League game
- Palace struggling at home; have leaked 11 goals in four EPL games this term
- Lech Poznan scored 15 goals in qualifying; can find the back of the net here
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 5.00am AEST on Friday September 18
Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan Europa League Tips & Prediction
Crystal Palace can't be justified as $1.40 favourites in their Europa League debut - I'm taking both teams to score and some value on a draw as Polish champions Lech Poznan come to Selhurst Park for Thursday night's continental showdown.
Palace became the first club since 1988 to win a trophy on their European debut with their triumph in last season's Conference League, which has propelled them into the Europa League for the first time in their long history.
However, that magical run came under the tutelage of Oliver Glasner, who has since departed the club, with Pierre Sage managing just one Premier League win in four games to start the season.
This Palace defence looks dodgy to begin the season - they've shipped 11 goals in their four EPL fixtures, including three in their most-recent defeat to newly-promoted Ipswich at home.
Lech Poznan have plenty of European experience to fall back on and scored 15 goals in qualifying for the Europa League, so they look good to at least get on the scoresheet in this one - and perhaps even push for a point.
Palace are probably the slightly better side, but I can't back them at these short odds. Take both teams to score with a draw. Norwegian striker Jorgen-Strand Larsen is the most likely for Palace in the final third and is a decent price around even money to find the back of the net.
Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan Stats & Trends
- Palace have seen BTTS land in three of their last four games
- Lech Poznan have seen BTTS land in four of their last five games
- Lech Poznan scored 15 goals in four Europa League qualifiers
- Lech Poznan are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games in all comps
- Palace have lost three of their four EPL games this season
- Jorgen-Strand Larsen has scored three goals in his last two games
Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan Head To Head
This will be the first meeting between the two teams. Lech have lost three of their four previous meetings with English sides, while Palace have never faced a Polish team before.
Crystal Palace Form Analysis
It hasn't been the ideal start to life as the new Palace manager for Sage.
The Frenchman has lost his opening two Premier League games at Selhurst Park and the pressure will only mount if he's unable to secure all three points in this one.
Palace were outclassed 4-1 by Man City in South-London before last weekend's disappointing 3-2 loss to Ipswich.
The Eagles have managed to win two of their last three games however, earning their first EPL win of the season by beating Fulham 3-2, while they also produced a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough to progress into the EFL Cup fourth round.
Crystal Palace Team News
Star man Ismaila Sarr was the top scorer for Palace in last season's Conference League, but there's been a bit of drama surrounding the winger after he was unable to secure a desired move away from Selhurst Park in the transfer window, while he's also been dealing with a groin injury.
Dean Henderson, Chadi Riad and Jean-Philippe Mateta are also out injured, while Eddie Nketiah is in doubt.
That means Jorgen-Strand Larsen should get the nod to start up front again, while Daichi Kamada - a previous Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt - has been in good recent form with one goal and three assists in his last three games.
Crystal Palace Possible Starting XI (3-4-2-1): Walter Benitez; Chris Richards, Axel Disasi, Honest Ahanor; Anan Khalaili, Adam Wharton, Quinten Timber, Tyrick Mitchell; Daichi Kamada, Yeremy Pino; Jorgen-Strand Larsen
Lech Poznan Form Analysis
Lech Poznan are featuring in back-to-back European campaigns for the first time since 1985 after successfully defending their Ekstraklasa trophy last term.
Niels Frederiksen's side reached the R16 in the Conference League last term and will be hoping to replicate that run by making it out of the league phase here.
The two-time reigning Polish champions had to go through qualifying to secure their spot in the Europa League, but they did it at a canter, ending with a 9-2 aggregate win over Swiss champions Thun.
Lech were on a five-match winning streak in the league, but saw that run come to an abrupt end this past weekend, suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to Gornik Zabrze.
Lech Poznan Team News
Swedish winger Pontus Walemark scored six goals in as many games for Lech during Europa League qualifying, while veteran captain Mikael Ishak has a club record 18 goals from 28 major European appearances.
Daniel Hakans, Alex Douglas, Antoni Kozubal and Ali Gholizadeh are sidelined through injury.
Lech Poznan Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Mateusz Lis; Joel Pereira, Terry Yegbe, Wojciech Monka, Michal Gurgul; Radoslaw Murawski, Filip Jagiello; Patrik Walemark, Pablo Rodriguez, Luis Palma; Mikael Ishak
Verdict
Both teams are tipped to score, with value on a draw. Strand Larsen is the most likely to net for the hosts.
BTTS - Yes
Both Teams To Score
$1.83 - 2 Units
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