Conference League

2025-08-21 - Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Crystal Palace v Fredrikstad
Football: UEFA Conference League Play Off Round First Leg
Thursday 21st August 2025 - Kick Off 8pm

Preview

They won the FA Cup last season and Crystal Palace fans would have been overjoyed about seeing their club play in Europe for the first time. Being in the Europa League would have meant being alongside some big names like Roma and Porto, but a UEFA regulation has meant they could not be involved in the same competition as Lyon.

It was ruled that Crystal Palace and Lyon were effectively part of the same company and the last appeal was rejected- with Lyon finishing higher domestically, they have been given the chance to play in the Europa League and Crystal Palace have been pushed back into the Conference League.

To frustrate Crystal Palace further, that also means having to win a Play Off Round tie to earn a spot in the Group Stage and the first of the two Legs are to be played just days into the new domestic season.

Oliver Glasner is a little disappointed with the lack of transfer activity at Selhurst Park and there is every chance that Eberechi Eze will be sold this week. Further talks with Tottenham Hotspur are taking place at the time of writing, while Marc Guehi has also been linked with a move away and Crystal Palace may not be able to replace that kind of talent with little time left in the transfer market.

The manager has wanted more from the board, although has to accept he is leading a 'selling club' even if Glasner has big expectations of himself. Leading Crystal Palace to a Cup success is a huge achievement, and there may be some positives about being dropped into the Conference League when things settle down.

English clubs West Ham United and Chelsea have both won the Conference League, while Aston Villa were Semi Finalists. Oliver Glasner has helped Eintracht Frankfurt win European silverware too and this Crystal Palace team could go very far in the competition if they are able to work their way past Fredrikstad in the opener.

The Norwegian club have a lot more overall European experience, but Fredrikstad have returned to UEFA competition for the first time in sixteen years. They have already seen how tough this level can be when losing to Midtjylland in the Europa League and this is about as bad a draw as Fredrikstad could have wished for in the Play Off Round.

Fredrikstad have been given time to prepare for this game, but a single win in 6 games in all competitions is not exactly inspiring.

The away form has been poor from Fredrikstad, who were well beaten in Denmark in the Europa League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg. They have not won any of their last 7 away games in all competitions and Fredrikstad have lost 3 of those, while the club have lost 8 of 11 away European matches played.

You have to believe that the biggest ambition Fredrikstad will have from this First Leg is to avoid a thumping loss and have some hope to turn things around at home next week.

Prediction

Dropping out of the Europa League before a ball has been kicked due to failure to adhere to UEFA regulations is a blow, but Crystal Palace fans can think 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade'.

The Conference League is a competition that both West Ham United and Chelsea have won since its introduction and Crystal Palace have to go into this as one of the favourites.

Oliver Glasner's experiences with Eintracht Frankfurt can help, although the manager will be hoping that the board can sign some players to build up the squad depth. There is every chance that Eberechi Eze will leave Crystal Palace this summer, and that is a blow, but The Eagles have quality in the squad and they should be far too good for Fredrikstad in the first ever European game played at Selhurst Park.

The Norwegian club did little to trouble Midtjylland in the Europa League before dropping into the Conference League and they may struggle to contain the English FA Cup Winners.

The home team are likely to be on the front foot for much of this First Leg and Crystal Palace should find the quality needed to win this game. They can also keep a clean sheet if Fredrikstad produce a similar level to the one they did against Midtjylland and backing The Eagles to win to nil looks the approach to take.