Fredrikstad v Crystal Palace match preview
Crystal Palace are a draw away from being assured a primary look in European competitors correct following their demotion to the Conference League – however their problem is sterner than they could have favored after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half purpose was all that separated them from Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner’s aspect stay agency favourtes to progress towards opponents who’re tenth in Norway’s Eliteserien and didn’t have a shot on track within the first leg, proving cussed whereas ceding 75% of possession to the FA Cup holders.
“They’re robust, however it’s type of what we’ve all dreamt of,” mentioned Palace and USMNT defender Chris Richards, including that enjoying in midweek and on Sundays due to European competitors is “a part of the development”.
“[Fredrikstad] are in a qualifier for a purpose as nicely. They’re no crew to sleep on. They performed an excellent recreation [and] they’re a troublesome crew to interrupt down.
“It’ll be type of a hostile setting. We’re going to be enjoying on AstroTurf and it’s most likely going to be chilly as nicely.
“So it’s not essentially a recreation we’re wanting ahead to, however it’s positively a recreation we all know that we’ve got to win.”
Opened in 2007, Fredrikstad’s stadium has a capability of 12,565 and attracted the fourth-highest common attendance of their home high flight final season, of 8,490.
The membership say 8,000 tickets had been offered earlier than basic sale opened, with “monumental curiosity” from followers who “don’t help Fredrikstad however who need to see a Premier League crew play a major match in Norway”.
The Aristocrats had been knocked out of Europa League qualifying courtesy of a 3-1 defeat at residence and 2-0 loss away to Danish Superliga runners-up Midtjylland and have received two of their final 15 matches in all competitions.
At 208th in UEFA’s membership co-efficient rankings, they’re the lowest-placed Norwegian crew and 120 positions beneath Palace.
One potential warning signal for Palace is that solely 4 groups within the Eliteserien have taken extra residence factors this season than Fredrikstad, who misplaced solely two of their 15 residence league video games final season.
Fredrikstad v Palace crew information
Centre-back Chadi Riad and midfielder Cheick Doucoure are out for Palace with knee accidents however ahead Daichi Kamada might return following the identical problem.
Proper-back Caleb Kporha has a again downside and forwards Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) and Matheus Franca (muscle) additionally miss out.
Midfielder Will Hughes has not travelled and ahead Odsonne Edouard is not going to function due to an Achilles downside.
Captain Marc Guehi is about to begin once more amid curiosity from Liverpool within the England centre-back.
Johannes Nunez joined Fredrikstad from seventh-placed KFUM for a reported charge of round £580,000 two days earlier than the primary leg and got here off the bench for his debut.
Centre-back Brage Skaret has moved in the other way, touchdown Fredrikstad a ahead accountable for eight targets and 4 assists in 16 appearances in all competitions this season.
“I’ve at all times had a dream of competing on the high of Norwegian soccer and we will do this right here,” the 28-year-old instructed Fredrikstad’s website after signing. “Every thing is in place to compete with the most effective.”
Fredrikstad v Crystal Palace predicted line-ups
Fredrikstad beginning XI: Borsheim, S. Owusu, Fredriksen, Woledzi, Eid, Metcalfe, L. Owusu, Sorlokk, Molde, Ohlenschlaeger, Holten
Palace beginning XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Esse, Sarr, Devenny, Mateta
Is Fredrikstad v Palace on TV? Stay on-line stream, channel
Kick-off on Thursday is at 17:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT), with stay protection on Channel 5, which is channel 105 on Freeview HD, Sky and Virgin Media.
Followers can watch the motion on-line on an enormous number of gadgets and on the transfer by the Channel 5 app
