Crystal Palace: Stats Show Winless Eagles Could Soon Turn the Tide

After a tough start to the Premier League season, Crystal Palace find themselves in the relegation zone with just three points from seven matches. This is a position not seen at Selhurst Park since 2018, but there are reasons for optimism. With upcoming fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur, Palace could be poised to climb out of trouble.

Crystal Palace’s Strong Finish Last Season

Palace’s poor form this season is a stark contrast to their impressive finish to the 2022/23 campaign. Under Oliver Glasner, they secured six wins from their final seven games, equalling their best-ever Premier League points tally of 49 and achieving a 10th-place finish. The Eagles also hit their highest-ever goal tally in a season with 57 goals, indicating that they have the potential to rediscover their scoring touch.

The Struggles This Season

So far, Palace have scored only five goals, with just one coming from open play, despite an expected goals (xG) tally of 9.44. This suggests they’ve been unlucky not to find the net more frequently. Their 92 shots on goal rank 10th in the league, yet they’ve been heavily reliant on long-range efforts and set pieces.

Defensively, Palace have been vulnerable, particularly in the air, losing a league-high 137 aerial duels. This weakness has been exploited by teams using crosses and through balls, where Palace rank fourth in the league for most through balls conceded.

Adjusting to Key Departures and a New System

The loss of key players like Michael Olise (to Bayern Munich) and Joachim Andersen (to Fulham) has forced Glasner to adapt his squad and tactics. Palace shifted to a 3-4-3 formation, but this system is still bedding in. Defensive reinforcements like Maxence Lacroix and Trevoh Chalobah will need time to settle, while injuries have also exposed a lack of depth in key areas, particularly at wing-back.

Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell are the only natural options in those roles, and Muñoz’s recent injury has left Palace stretched, with Nathaniel Clyne being forced to fill in an unfamiliar position.

Eberechi Eze and Mateta Can Provide the Spark

One bright spot has been the form of Eberechi Eze, who has been Palace’s creative heartbeat. Eze has attempted 27 shots (ranking him third in the Premier League), and although his goal tally is below expectations, his underlying numbers suggest that more goals will come as the season progresses.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is also nearing full fitness after a busy summer at the Olympics, and his return could offer Palace the cutting edge they’ve been missing in front of goal. Additionally, the return of Cheick Doucouré from injury after the international break will add much-needed stability in midfield.

Nottingham Forest Clash Offers Hope

Palace’s next fixture against Nottingham Forest presents a real opportunity. Forest are winless in their last seven games at the City Ground, and their defensive metrics—particularly their low number of high turnovers and high PPDA (passes per defensive action)—suggest they struggle under pressure. Palace, despite not beating Forest in the league since 1991, could take advantage of this with swift transitions and tactical flexibility.

Glasner’s willingness to adapt his formation and perhaps revert to a back four or deploy Ismaïla Sarr’s pace could also be key to exploiting Forest’s weaknesses.

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

Conclusion

While Crystal Palace have endured a difficult start, the stats suggest that they’re closer to turning things around than their league position might indicate. With creative sparks like Eze and Mateta coming into form and a more favourable fixture list ahead, there’s reason to believe Palace can rise out of the relegation zone in the coming weeks.

SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.