Fredrikstad v Crystal Palace match preview
Crystal Palace are a draw away from being guaranteed a first appearance in European competition proper following their demotion to the Conference League – but their challenge is sterner than they might have liked after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half goal was all that separated them from Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner’s side remain firm favourtes to progress against opponents who are 10th in Norway’s Eliteserien and did not have a shot on target in the first leg, proving stubborn while ceding 75% of possession to the FA Cup holders.
“They’re tough, but it’s kind of what we’ve all dreamt of,” said Palace and USMNT defender Chris Richards, adding that playing in midweek and on Sundays because of European competition is “part of the progression”.
“[Fredrikstad] are in a qualifier for a reason as well. They’re no team to sleep on. They played a good game [and] they’re a tough team to break down.
“It’ll be kind of a hostile environment. We’re going to be playing on AstroTurf and it’s probably going to be cold as well.
“So it’s not necessarily a game we’re looking forward to, but it’s definitely a game we know that we have to win.”
Opened in 2007, Fredrikstad’s stadium has a capacity of 12,565 and attracted the fourth-highest average attendance in their domestic top flight last season, of 8,490.
The club say 8,000 tickets were sold before general sale opened, with “enormous interest” from fans who “do not support Fredrikstad but who want to see a Premier League team play a significant match in Norway”.
The Aristocrats were knocked out of Europa League qualifying courtesy of a 3-1 defeat at home and 2-0 loss away to Danish Superliga runners-up Midtjylland and have won two of their last 15 matches in all competitions.
At 208th in UEFA’s club co-efficient rankings, they are the lowest-placed Norwegian team and 120 positions below Palace.
One potential warning sign for Palace is that only four teams in the Eliteserien have taken more home points this season than Fredrikstad, who lost only two of their 15 home league games last season.
Fredrikstad v Palace team news
Centre-back Chadi Riad and midfielder Cheick Doucoure are out for Palace with knee injuries but forward Daichi Kamada could return following the same issue.
Right-back Caleb Kporha has a back problem and forwards Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) and Matheus Franca (muscle) also miss out.
Midfielder Will Hughes has not travelled and forward Odsonne Edouard will not feature because of an Achilles problem.
Captain Marc Guehi is set to start again amid interest from Liverpool in the England centre-back.
Johannes Nunez joined Fredrikstad from seventh-placed KFUM for a reported fee of around £580,000 two days before the first leg and came off the bench for his debut.
Centre-back Brage Skaret has moved in the opposite direction, landing Fredrikstad a forward responsible for eight goals and four assists in 16 appearances in all competitions this season.
“I have always had a dream of competing at the top of Norwegian football and we can do that here,” the 28-year-old told Fredrikstad’s website after signing. “Everything is in place to compete with the best.”
Fredrikstad v Crystal Palace predicted line-ups
Fredrikstad starting XI: Borsheim, S. Owusu, Fredriksen, Woledzi, Eid, Metcalfe, L. Owusu, Sorlokk, Molde, Ohlenschlaeger, Holten
Palace starting XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Esse, Sarr, Devenny, Mateta
Is Fredrikstad v Palace on TV? Live online stream, channel
Kick-off on Thursday is at 17:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT), with live coverage on Channel 5, which is channel 105 on Freeview HD, Sky and Virgin Media.
Fans can watch the action online on a vast variety of devices and on the move through the Channel 5 app
