Crystal Palace Starting XI vs Fredrikstad: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Crystal Palace face Fredrikstad with Eberechi Eze future in the balance

Eze farewell as Arsenal move looms

Crystal Palace enter their Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad with the focus inevitably fixed on Eberechi Eze. The midfielder, whose flair has so often defined Palace’s attacking spark, is on the verge of a £67.5million move to Arsenal.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner had indicated on Wednesday afternoon that Eze would start at Selhurst Park, even as Tottenham and Arsenal close in on a potential deal.

Eze’s involvement tonight is therefore as much about theatre as tactics. His appearance, whether from the start or off the bench, would offer supporters the chance to say goodbye to a player who has become central to the club’s identity.

Photo: IMAGO

Selection questions for Glasner

Should Glasner decide not to risk Eze from the opening whistle, Justin Devenny and Romain Esse are the most likely to step in. Devenny already replaced Eze during Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea, while Esse provides another youthful option in advanced areas.

Marc Guehi, linked with Liverpool this summer, has been confirmed as a starter. His presence will anchor a Palace backline that looks well-suited to deal with Fredrikstad’s counter-attacking threat.

Elsewhere, Daichi Kamada remains doubtful with a knee injury, and Palace are without Eddie Nketiah, Matheus Franca and Cheick Doucoure, all sidelined long term.

Conference League ambitions

Glasner’s side are favourites to progress and will be targeting a strong first-leg advantage at Selhurst Park before the return trip to Norway. The manager has spoken of the importance of using Europe as a stage for his players, both established and emerging, to test themselves beyond the Premier League.

The sense, though, is that this evening could be remembered less for the result and more for the farewell. Selhurst Park has seen great players pass through before, but few have carried quite the same weight of expectation as Eze.

Predicted Crystal Palace XI vs Fredrikstad

Henderson; Guehi, Lacroix, Richards; Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Munoz; Devenny, Sarr; Mateta