Crystal Palace host Middlesbrough in an EFL Cup third round tie on Tuesday after registering their first win of the season in their most recent PL fixture.
Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough – Match preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 8th September.
- Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
- Venue: Selhurst Park, London.
Crystal Palace team news
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage intends to heavily rotate his squad ahead of their upcoming UEFA Europa League campaign.
The Eagles face notable fitness concerns, with forward Eddie Nketiah remaining sidelined and Ismaila Sarr unavailable due to a groin injury.
In their absence, Jørgen Strand Larsen is expected to lead the frontline at Selhurst Park. To protect key assets for upcoming Premier League fixtures, Sage is highly likely to rest Adam Wharton and defender Chris Richards.
This squad rotation opens the door for several players and recent signings to stake their claim. Midfielder Will Hughes is pushing for a starting berth in the center of the pitch, while defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben Chilwell are both strongly tipped to feature in the backline, giving Palace a fresh yet experienced look for this cup tie.
Middlesbrough team news
Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg faces a severe selection dilemma due to a grueling schedule of three consecutive away matches in just six days.
Compounding his selection headaches, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is a major doubt and expected to be rested after picking up a knock against QPR.
Hellberg might lean on squad rotation to navigate the fixture congestion, starting with Sol Brynn expected to replace regular league goalkeeper Radek Vitek.
In defence, Sam Byram is tipped to start at right-back to grant Callum Brittain a much-needed rest, though veteran Luke Ayling and Alfie Jones should provide essential stability.
The attacking burden will shift to youth and rotation options, with Leo Castledine poised to spearhead the frontline. Castledine will be supported by Kyle Joseph and Myles Peart-Harris as Boro attempt to pull off a major cup upset.
Form
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace enter this fixture seeking to build momentum after a mixed start to their Premier League campaign. Under new manager Pierre Sage, the Eagles suffered consecutive defeats to Everton and Manchester City, raising early-season concerns. However, they bounced back dramatically over the weekend, securing a thrilling 3-2 away victory against Fulham. Tyrick Mitchell’s unexpected brace and Ben Chilwell’s late winner injected much-needed confidence, providing a timely boost ahead of their Carabao Cup opener.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough head to Selhurst Park boasting excellent momentum under Kim Hellberg. The Championship side has enjoyed an impressive, unbeaten streak, picking up three wins and a draw from their last four outings across all competitions. Following a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Burnley, Boro secured a tight 1-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Having already dispatched Doncaster Rovers 3-1 in the previous round, they carry strong defensive solidity and considerable confidence into this top-flight test.
Predicted lineups
Crystal Palace: Benitez; Tomiyasu, Disasi, Canvot; Khalaili, Doucoure, Hughes, Chilwell; Osorio, Mingueza; Strand Larsen
Middlesbrough: Brynn; Arfsten, Ayling, Jones, Borges; Morris, Barron; Peart-Harris, Hamilton, Joseph; Castledine
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough?
In the UK, you can watch the Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough Carabao Cup third-round match live on Sky Sports+.
Read Also – Home
See More – Latest
Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube