Crystal Palace vs KuPS Match Preview

Crystal Palace will hope to secure a place in the top eight of Conference League While they complete their league stage campaign against KuPS.

The Eagles are one point outside the top eight and automatic qualification to the last 16. However, with the two teams above them, Mainz and Samsonspor, facing each other, a win would be enough to ensure Palace avoid a two-legged tie in the play-off round.

Palace dispatched Shelbourne emphatically last week, but followed up that performance with a 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League.

And it’s fair to say that the mood around the club is unlikely to improve after that loss, with reports emerging this week that manager Oliver Glassner will not renew his contract when the season expires.

Glessner has made no secret of his displeasure at the lack of investment in the squad in the summer as he prepares his squad to compete on several fronts after last season’s FA Cup win that earned the club a place in European football.

The squad’s limits will be tested this week, with Palace clashing with KuPS exactly 48 hours before they visit Leeds United in the Premier League.

As such, there is unlikely to be a festive feel around Selhurst Park, although a win against the Finnish champions would give Palace reason for Christmas cheer ahead of their final away league match of 2025.

KuPS, of course, will have designs on an upset. A draw could be enough to see them through to the play-off rounds, as they sit in 25th place, just outside the qualification spots, with a positive goal difference.

Palace’s potential need to rotate the squad could present an opportunity for KuPS, who are aiming to progress to the knockout rounds of a European competition for the first time since group stages were introduced.

KuPS have lost just once in the league stage, although their home draw with Lausanne last time out showed just how good they need to be to get something from Palace.

Team news for Crystal Palace vs KuPS

Daichi Kamada will miss out after pulling off with a hamstring injury in the defeat to City.

Daniel Munoz (knee) remains unavailable, along with Chek Dokor, Chadi Riad (both knees), Rio Cárdenas (groin) and Caleb Kaporha (back).

Predicted line-ups for Crystal Palace vs KuPS

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guhi; Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Sadness, drink; Nakehia

KuPS: the cradle; Hamalainen, Cisse, Hamalainen, Antwi; Voutilainen, Arifi, Oksanen; Toure, Parzyzek, Penanen

How to watch Crystal Palace v KuPs

Crystal Palace vs KuPS kicks off at 8pm UK time on Thursday. It will be telecast on TNT Sports 1.

It can be streamed via Discovery Plus. Sky customers with a TNT package can also stream the game via Sky Go.