Crystal Palace predictions 2024/25: Premier League finish, top goalscorer and season preview

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace were nothing short of a treat at the end of 2023/24.

The Austrian manager proved to be an utterly transformative addition to the Selhurst Park touchline, with Eagles supporters enjoying a dynamic brand of football spearheaded by the club’s premier attacking talent.

Glasner will have to make do without Michael Olise for 2024/25, but he’ll hope Eberechi Eze will continue to dazzle in tandem with red-hot goalscorer Jean-Philippe Mateta. The acclimatisation of the club’s new arrivals will likely determine whether Palace can match or improve upon Glasner’s fast start.

Here’s 90min’s preview to Crystal Palace’s 2024/25 season.

Palace have been as consistent as they come in the Premier League over the past five years. Since the Covid season of 2019/20, the Eagles have never finished lower than 14th and Glasner guided them to an impressive tenth-place finish last term.

They’ve epitomised mediocrity for much of their time in the Premier League since returning to the top flight in 2013, but their ability to stay clear of the drop without much fuss must be commended.

Glasner will also be keen to oversee a magical cup run during his first full season at Selhurst Park. Palace have reached just one FA Cup semi-final since 2020 and have struggled to bypass the third round in either the FA and EFL Cups as of late.

There’s already been some change on Palace’s shirt number front with new arrival Ismaila Sarr succeeding Olise as the club’s number seven.

Daichi Kamada has opted for 18, while centre-back Chadi Riad will don 34. The former Real Betis centre-back could play an important role in south London right away should either Joachim Andersen or Marc Guehi leave the club before the end of the summer window.

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

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Jean-Philippe Mateta will no longer benefit from Olise’s creative genius at Selhurst Park, but the French forward should be in for another goal-laden campaign if Eze remains at the club.

The Frenchman thrived under Glasner down the stretch last season, scoring 13 times in as many Premier League games after the Austrian took over. Mateta’s campaign finished with a hat-trick against Aston Villa and his fine form continued over the summer as his goals inspired France to Olympic silver on home soil.

The 27-year-old has finally found his feet in south London following years of indifference and it’s hard to envisage anyone challenging him for Palace’s top scorer honours. The shrewd Kamada could spring a surprise or two, as could Sarr if he finds his feet down the right. Eze will be a major contributor from an inside left position.

Olise’s exit is a huge blow and it’s hard to see Palace’s summer additions completely mitigating the French playmaker’s departure. The Eagles could be gutted further before the end of the window, but if they’re able to retain Eze along with Guehi, they’re well-positioned to enjoy a fine campaign under Glasner.

The Austrian’s methodology is conducive to sustained success at this level, although teams will start to catch onto what Glasner is trying to achieve with this Palace team. His first full season won’t come without strife and how well the manager deals with lulls will determine just how far the Eagles go in 2024/25.

Retain their current stars and they should be pushing for a top-half finish.

Crystal Palace 2024/25 Premier League prediction – 10th

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