Crystal Palace 2026/27 Season Preview
Premier League Blog
Crystal Palace 2026/27 Season Preview
*Where Did Crystal Palace Finish Last Season?*
Crystal Palace had an interesting pre-season last year. They played 7 matches being able to win 3 lose 2 and draw 2. Despite not being the best pre-season ever, however, it was one that laid a solid foundation before the season started. It showed that the tactics were working however there was room to grow and develop.
This was quickly forgotten however, as they had a chance to add another trophy to their collection before the season started. They faced Liverpool in the Community Shield. They managed to take Liverpool to pens where they would finally defeat them winning 3-2 on pens. Momentum was on their side.
The season started well. They went 6 games unbeaten with 2 massive wins over Aston Villa and champions Liverpool. However, October was a month to forget. 3 matches 2 losses and a draw, which they did bounce back from until late December. This was when shit hit the fan, and nothing was going their way. With 6 losses and 3 draws they slipped massively. However, it was soon found out why this drop had happened as then manager Oliver Glasner announced he was leaving in the summer as well as captain Marc Guehi that month. Now it made sense.
With all of this combined Palace could only crawl to the finish. It seemed everything was going wrong. They traded their soul for the FA Cup. Ultimately, they would finish the season in 15th of 45 points. Just 6 points above relegation.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, however. In fact, something special was happening. The Prem was over, but they could still add trophy number 3. In the UEFA Conference League, Palace were flying. It was completely different to the league form - they were winning with style. Finally, on May 27th, Jean-Philippe Mateta would lead Palace to their first-ever European trophy as they won 1-0 against Rayo Vallecano.
Crystal Palace this season will look a bit different as former Lens manager Pierre Sage will be in the dugout for them, with Oliver Glasner now taking the reins over at Nottingham Forest.
Best Result: Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace (Jean-Philippe Mateta 21’, Marc Guehi 68’, Ismaila Sarr 78’)
Worst Result: Leeds United 4-1 Crystal Palace (Dominic Calvert-Lewin 38’, 45+4’, Ethan Ampadu 60’, Jusin Devenny 90+2’, Anton Stach 90+11’)
Who Have Crystal Palace Signed So Far This Summer?
IN
Dwight McNeil from Everton - £22.1 Million
Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise - £21 Million#
Quentin Timber from Marseille - £17.1 Million
Zavier Gozo from Reeal Salt Lake - £11.1 Million
Ben Chilwell from RC Strasbourg - Free Transfer
Oscar Mingueza from Celta Vigo – Free Transfer
Takehiro Tomiyasu from Ajax – Free Transfer
Takehiro Tomiyasu, in his own words. 🇯🇵
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 9, 2026
Evann Guessand from Aston Villa - Season-Long Loan with Buy Option
Honest Ahanor from Chelsea - Season-Long Loan
Total Spent - £71.3 Million
OUT
Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea - £52 Million
Brennan Johnson to Everton - £22.1 Million
Daniel Munoz to Nottingham Forest - £22 Million
Danny Imray to Wrexham - £5 Million
Joe Whitworth to Wigan Athletic - Undisclosed
David Ozoh to Derby County - Undisclosed
Malcolm Ebiowei to Crawley Town - Free Transfer
Jackson Izquierdo to Crawley Town - Free Transfer
Asher Agbinone to Al Wahda - Free Transfer
Jemiah Umolu to Gent - Free Transfer
Craig Farquhar to Barnet - Free Transfer
Borna Sosa to FC Koln - Season-Long Loan
Rio Cardines to Bristol City - Season-Long Loan
Owen Goodman to Dundee - Season-Long Loan
Hindolo Mustapha to Notts County - Season-Long Loan
Nathaniel Clyne – Released
Total Received: £101.1 Million
Crystal Palace 2026/27 Squad List
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Remi Matthews, Walter Benitez
Defenders: Takehiro Tomiyasu, Quentin Timber, Jaydee Canvot, Chris Richards, Chadi Riad, Honest Ahanor, George King, Tyrick Mitchell, Ben Chilwell
Midfielders: Ismaila Sarr, Jefferson Lerma, Yeremi Pino, Daichi Kamada, Will Hughes, Adam Wharton, Oscar Mingueza, Kaden Rodney, Dean Benamar, Justin Devenny, Caleb Kporha, Rio Cardines, Joel Drakes-Thomas, Anan Khalaili
Forwards: Edward Nketiah, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Romain Esse, Evann Guessand, Jorgan Strand Larsen, Brennan Johnson, Matheus France, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Crystal Palace 2026/27 Home, Away and Third Kits
Home Kit
50 years of the sash.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 17, 2026
Introducing our home kit for the 2026/27 season, featuring our new front of shirt sponsor, @temporalio 🦅
Away Kit
The destination is changing but our identity hasn’t.@cpfc_w 🤝
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 27, 2026
Third Kit
Home Away From Home.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 21, 2026
Introducing our 2026/27 @MacronSports Eagle Wings kit 🦅
What is Crystal Palace’s Opening League Fixtures?
Everton vs Crystal Palace | Hill Dickinson Stadium | Saturday, August 22nd, 15:00
How Can I Watch Everton vs Crystal Palace?
Unfortunately, due to the UK broadcasting this game will take place during the 3 o’clock blackout. This means that you won’t be able to watch the opening game in the Premier League for the Eagles on regular UK television.
What Are Crystal Palaces’ First 5 Fixtures?
Everton vs Crystal Palace – Saturday, 22nd August
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Friday, 28th August
Fulham vs Crystal Palace – Saturday, 5th September
Crystal Palace vs Ipswich – Saturday, 12th September
Leeds vs Crystal Palace – Saturday, 19th September
When Do Crystal Palace Face Rivals Brighton & Hove Albian in the 2026/27 Season?
We have another year of this rivalry happening in the Premier League. One that isn’t very well known, but the fans hold to a standard. Palace managed to win both games last season and will hope for a repeat.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace | The AMEX, Brighton | Saturday October 17th
Crystal Palace vs Brighton | Selhurst Park, London | Saturday May 15th
Last 5 Fixtures
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa – Saturday, 1st May
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace – Saturday, 8th May
Crystal Palace vs Brighton – Saturday, 15th May
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace – Saturday, 23rd May
Crystal Palace vs Leeds – Sunday, 30th May
Who is Crystal Palace’s Manager This Season?
Pierre Sage
Working towards the start of the @premierleague 🤝
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 6, 2026
We sat down with Pierre Sage to talk all things Palace, pre-season and his philosophy 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/pxzctq5dG7
The man taking over from Oliver Glasner is 47-year-old French Manager Pierre Sage. He has spent time with 2 top level clubs starting at Lyon. He spent 2 years with them between November 2023 and January 2025. He would then join Lens from June 2025 to June 2026. Now in England with Palace, he will find a new challenge.
Not only does this man have a new mountain to climb in England, but the Palace owners haven’t made it easy. He has inherited a Palace side missing a lot of major players and limited senior options especially in defence.
His system seems to focus a lot more of playing without the ball then having it. He enjoys a high press and forcing sides into making a mistake and pushing up fast after. This could make them a danger on the counter especially with the likes of Munoz and Jonhson.
It will be interesting how they start in the league. As it stands the pre-season has been mixed. 2 games, one they smashed Swindon in and another wherein they got smashed by Bromley. Very little to tell so far, but will be an interesting season for sure.
Who is Crystal Palace’s Player to Watch?
Adam Wharton
This is a difficult question to answer. Palace have good players and a strong side. However, this summer it feels like anyone could leave. On the brighter side, as it stands, Wharton is a Palace player for now and we will pick him.
He dictates the game for them. Solid in the defence and an ability to move the ball forward that is at a top level. He is a great presser and someone who can move the ball very quickly. Based on how Pierre likes to play, Wharton is the most ideal midfielder.
Still only 22, he has a lot to learn. However, he is still a top player and someone who makes Palace click. The fans will be hoping he stays and helps them once again this season.
Crystal Palace 2026/27 Season Predictions
Now it’s to what we’ve been waiting for, where will they end the season? It is a hard question. Palace need to do a lot of shopping. They haven’t signed anyone to make up for the players who left and have a lot of holes in the side.
Not only this, but they have also almost no senior cover. This would be fine, if they weren’t in the Europa League this season. Having to play 2 matches a week for half the season with that squad depth could kill them.
However, we are talking all in hypotheticals currently. Based on what we have and the facts we have, they have a small squad and a manager who has never managed in England before and has only 3 years’ experience at a top level. Sorry Palace fans, this year could be very long and difficult.
The friendlies so far have been so limited and different that we can’t really take them into consideration here. With a new manager, limited squad depth and Europe this season, we don’t think they’ll have the best season.
Football Park’s Prediction: 16th
Harry Pascoe 
