Crystal Palace Face Lech Poznań with Squad Crisis, Back Under 3.5 Goals
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Crystal Palace's meteoric rise from Europa Conference League champions to Europa League contenders has hit a significant obstacle ahead of Thursday's Group F opener against Polish side Lech Poznań at Selhurst Park. The London club, now coached by former Lyon manager Romain Garcia, faces a mounting injury crisis and defensive frailty that has left them winless in their opening four Premier League fixtures .
Key Points
- Crystal Palace finished runners-up in last season's Europa Conference League, earning automatic promotion to the Europa League proper this campaign
- Manager Oliver Glasner departed for Nottingham Forest during the summer, with former Lyon coach Romain Garcia appointed as his replacement; the club sold key defenders Axel Disasi and Daniel Munoz while signing Eran Khalaili, Quinten Timber, and Dwight McNeil
- Forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah, and Ismaila Sarr are all sidelined through injury, while goalkeeper Dean Henderson has suffered an ankle problem
- Palace have conceded 11 goals in four Premier League matches this term, the worst defensive record in the entire top flight
- Lech Poznań qualified for the Europa League after failing to progress through Champions League qualifying; the Polish club have won five and drawn one in their last six away European fixtures
- Swedish striker Marcus Walemark has scored four goals in his last three European matches, forming a dangerous partnership with Iranian forward Allahyar Sayyadmanesh
- Kickoff is scheduled for 03:00 HKT on Friday (September 18) at Selhurst Park, with live coverage on Now TV Channel 638
Why It Matters
This match represents a pivotal test for both clubs' European ambitions. For Palace, a positive result would provide crucial morale boost and breathing room in the Premier League relegation battle, while a defeat could deepen the crisis surrounding Garcia's managerial reign. For Lech Poznań, a strong away performance against an English Premier League opponent would signal their intent to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in club history .
This match represents a pivotal test for both clubs' European ambitions. For Palace, a positive result would provide crucial morale boost and breathing room in the Premier League relegation battle, while a defeat could deepen the crisis surrounding Garcia's managerial reign. For Lech Poznań, a strong away performance against an English Premier League opponent would signal their intent to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in club history .