Crystal Palace meet Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park this Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off round tie as Palace embark on their first European adventure of the new campaign, aiming to put down a firm marker at home before the reverse fixture in Norway.
- Date: 21/08/2025
- Kick-off: 8:00pm
- Location: Selhurst Park, South London
Palace arrive in decent spirits, having opened their Premier League season with a solid draw away at Chelsea. Pre-season yielded mixed results, including spirited displays against Liverpool and wins against lower-league opposition. Manager Oliver Glasner has a decision to make over the inclusion of Eberechi Eze, who is reportedly on the verge of a move to Tottenham, which could be an issue for Palace given they have little time to find a replacement.
Squad rotation may be on the cards, given the short turnaround from league action, so the likes of Romain Esse will be hoping to see some minutes. Selhurst Park will be lively as always, with supporters eager for the club to secure what would be a landmark European campaign. European fixtures can test squad focus, but Palace’s strong home record and organisation are likely to serve them well against their Norwegian visitors.
Fredrikstad, for their part, make the trip to South London after progressing through the qualifiers despite a heavy aggregate loss to FC Midtjylland. Domestically, Fredrikstad have shown mixed league form and will be seen as underdogs in this tie. Their approach is likely to be pragmatic, aiming to frustrate and contain Palace’s attacking threats while looking to nick a goal via counter-attacks or set-pieces. The Norwegian outfit’s recent matches have included draws and narrow wins, suggesting limited firepower but a measure of defensive resilience.
In terms of head-to-head history, this is the first meeting between the two clubs, adding a sense of the unknown. Palace will be wary of any complacency, having seen other English sides previously struggle to break down well-drilled Scandinavian teams in similar circumstances. The key for Glasner’s side will be maintaining a calm tempo, not forcing the play, and ensuring they give themselves the advantage going into the second leg.
Crystal Palace 3-0 Fredrikstad
