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 preferred after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half purpose was all that separated them from Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner’s facet 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 powerful, however it’s form 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 cause as effectively. They’re no group to sleep on. They performed a very good sport [and] they’re a tricky group to interrupt down.
“It’ll be form of a hostile atmosphere. We’re going to be enjoying on AstroTurf and it’s in all probability going to be chilly as effectively.
“So it’s not essentially a sport we’re wanting ahead to, however it’s undoubtedly a sport we all know that we have now 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 common sale opened, with “huge curiosity” from followers who “don’t assist Fredrikstad however who need to see a Premier League group play a major match in Norway”.
The Aristocrats had been knocked out of Europa League qualifying courtesy of a 3-1 defeat at house and 2-0 loss away to Danish Superliga runners-up Midtjylland and have gained two of their final 15 matches in all competitions.
At 208th in UEFA’s membership co-efficient rankings, they’re the lowest-placed Norwegian group and 120 positions under Palace.
One potential warning signal for Palace is that solely 4 groups within the Eliteserien have taken extra house factors this season than Fredrikstad, who misplaced solely two of their 15 house league video games final season.
Fredrikstad v Palace group information
Centre-back Chadi Riad and midfielder Cheick Doucoure are out for Palace with knee accidents however ahead Daichi Kamada may return following the identical challenge.
Proper-back Caleb Kporha has a again drawback and forwards Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) and Matheus Franca (muscle) additionally miss out.
Midfielder Will Hughes has not travelled and ahead Odsonne Edouard won’t characteristic due to an Achilles drawback.
Captain Marc Guehi is ready to begin once more amid curiosity from Liverpool within the England centre-back.
Johannes Nunez joined Fredrikstad from seventh-placed KFUM for a reported price 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 wrong way, touchdown Fredrikstad a ahead liable 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 are able to try this right here,” the 28-year-old informed Fredrikstad’s website after signing. “All the pieces is in place to compete with one of the best.”
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? Dwell on-line stream, channel
Kick-off on Thursday is at 17:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT), with reside 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 units and on the transfer by the Channel 5 app
