Crystal Palace vs Burnley tips and predictions: Glasner era to start with a win
- Thomas Ridley
- 22 February 2024
Oliver Glasner will be in the dugout at Selhurst Park for the first time on Saturday as Crystal Palace take on strugglers Burnley in a pivotal game at the bottom of the table (1500 GMT).
Following Roy Hodgson's decision to leave Crystal Palace, the Eagles swooped in swiftly to secure Oliver Glasner's services as they look to avoid relegation and secure a 12th successive season in the Premier League.
It was rumoured that Glasner had been lined up to step into the Selhurst Park hotseat, even before Hodgson took ill during training last week.
The 49-year-old Austrian is best known for his work at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he won the Europa League in 2022 and he also led them in their first ever Champions League campaign, where they qualified from the group but were knocked out by Napoli in the Round of 16.
It's a very different challenge for Glasner who has been thrown into the deep end of a Premier League relegation battle in South London, with his new side just five points above the relegation zone.
He has been given a gentle start to Premier League life as they face strugglers Burnley, who are currently second bottom and seven points adrift of safety.
Burnley are currently in the departure lounge for the Championship and need a miracle to stay in the league, but they could have a glimmer of hope in this one as Palace are without several key players including Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
However, the Eagles will still fancy their chances against a Burnley defence that has shipped in 55 goals this season, an average of 2.2 goals per game.
The Eagles have been shot shy this season, scoring just 28 goals in 25 games and their topscorer in is Odsonne Eduoard with six goals, but he has not scored since the start of December, while Jordan Ayew's goal against Everton was only his third in 23 appearances this season.
However, they have scored at least one in seven of their last nine home games in the league so they are likely to find the back of the net at least once.
The Clarets are without a win in their last seven and have failed to score in 36% of their Premier League outings and have only scored more than once on six occasions.
Despite neither side being in great form, Palace should get some of that 'new manager bounce' and edge out Vincent Kompany's Burnley side in a low scoring match.
Team news
Crystal Palace are without Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Michael Olise, Will Hughes, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, who are all absent through injury.
Burnley are without joint-top scorer Lyle Foster, who may miss the rest of the season.
Vincent Kompany is also without Nathan Redmond, Luca Koleosho, Jordan Beyer and Aaron Ramsey.
Key stats
- Crystal Palace won the reverse fixture at Turf Moor 2-0
- Oliver Glasner has a 49.6% win ratio in his management career so far
- Burnley are unbeaten in their last three visits to Selhurst Park
- Burnley have failed to score in nine of their 25 Premier League fixtures this season
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