Oliver Glasner, the manager of Crystal Palace, has announced plans to field two distinct starting line-ups for the upcoming matches. This decision highlights the club’s commitment to player welfare amidst a demanding schedule.
Upcoming Matches for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace is set to host Finnish team KuPS in the Europa Conference League on Thursday at 20:00 GMT. Just 48 hours later, the team will visit Leeds United in the Premier League, also scheduled for Saturday at 20:00 GMT. The Premier League has rescheduled the Leeds match from Sunday to accommodate Palace’s subsequent game against Arsenal in the EFL Cup quarter-final, which takes place on Tuesday, December 23.
Player Welfare as a Priority
Glasner emphasized the importance of prioritizing player welfare. He stated, “No player will start against both KuPS and Leeds.” The manager underlined the increased intensity of modern-day games, which, combined with the team’s packed fixture schedule, makes it impractical to play the same lineup twice in such a short time. Crystal Palace currently ranks fifth in the Premier League and sits ninth in the Conference League.
Injury Updates
In addition to the considerations around player rotation, Glasner provided an update on midfielder Daichi Kamada, who is facing a hamstring injury that could sideline him for up to ten weeks.
Match Strategy Overview
- Match 1: Crystal Palace vs. KuPS – Europa Conference League
- Date & Time: Thursday, 20:00 GMT
- Match 2: Leeds United vs. Crystal Palace – Premier League
- Date & Time: Saturday, 20:00 GMT
- Next Match: Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace – EFL Cup Quarter-Final
- Date: Tuesday, December 23
As Palace prepares for these critical matches, Glasner remains focused on using two entirely different teams to ensure players are rested and ready for each game. Although sharing minutes will be managed between matches, the ultimate goal remains to field the strongest possible squad.
