LONDON, England – Crystal Palace and Wolves face off on Tuesday night at Selhurst Park, just days after Palace lifted the FA Cup trophy. Eberechi Eze‘s first-half goal was enough for Palace to seize their first major trophy in recent history, leading to jubilant celebrations that show no signs of stopping. Despite both teams lingering in the bottom half of the league table, they are touted as some of the best-performing sides in 2025.
Wolves, managed by Joao Pereira since December, currently sit 14th in the Premier League, eight points clear of the relegation zone after suffering back-to-back defeats. The away side is keen on bouncing back, while Palace looks to build on the momentum post-FA Cup triumph. While Palace halted a run of three draws with a convincing win against Tottenham, they might face a slight slump due to the emotional toll of their recent success.
In the lineup, Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner is likely to rest several FA Cup heroes for this midweek clash, making room for fresh faces like Eddie Nketiah and Romain Esse. There are concerns over the fitness of defenders Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton, which could shift Daichi Kamada into a starting role alongside Will Hughes in midfield.
On the injury front, Wolves are set to be without key player Hwang Hee-Chan due to a minor knock. Their attack will hinge on Matheus Cunha and Jørgen Strand Larsen while dealing with the absence of long-term injury updates for Saša Kalajdžić and others. The predicted lineups for both sides showcase different strategies, with Palace likely adopting a 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on creating chances through speedy wing play.
Fans are still buzzing from Crystal Palace’s FA Cup winnings. Despite the festive atmosphere, players may be feeling the effects of a celebratory hangover. Wolves, on the other hand, remain fresh and optimistic, hoping to capitalize on any potential lapse from the hosts.
Lastly, past encounters between these teams hint at a fiercely contested match. In their last meeting, the teams drew 2-2 in November 2024, a testament to the competitive edge each squad brings. As Tuesday night approaches, both teams strive for points as the season approaches its climax, promising football fans a thrilling showdown.
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