Crystal Palace – Hoffenheim: preview
We have the predictions for the encounter between Crystal Palace and Hoffenheim in the fourth round of the common phase of the 2026/27 Europa League season. Both teams are in the top 24. Crystal Palace has four points, ahead of Hoffenheim by one point.
Key points
Crystal Palace
1. Crystal Palace won in the last month
As can be understood, the results of Pierre Saïgo’s players do not inspire optimism among fans, although the game is not disastrous. In the last six matches across different competitions, Crystal Palace secured only one win against Fulham in the League Cup (1:0), with a single goal. Additionally, during that period there were four defeats and a draw in the Europa League against Beşiktaş (2:2). By the way, the European scenario is not that bad, as they earned points in two of the three rounds, and there are still opportunities to consolidate among the best. Though it is early to think too much.
2. Injured players return, but options remain limited
In the list of seriously injured players, Crystal Palace only has full‑back Chadri Riyad, a Moroccan who broke his knee ligament and is out for the long term. Additionally, defender Takahiro Tomiyasu and forwards Ismaila Sarr and Jørgen Strand Larsen have missed recent matches. All are due to return and could help in an extreme situation, but it may not be necessary. There is little time before the international break, so Pierre Saïgo will not risk his leaders. He will field the most prepared at the right moment.
3. The “Eagles” score a lot in the UEL, but also concede The main issue is the team’s balance in the current competition. With the activity and quality of Crystal Palace’s play at the level of the leaders, they have scored eight goals in three rounds, almost three per game, and outside the first round only Real Sociedad can match that. However, in their activity they have only one win in three rounds: the only match where the team did not concede. In the other two they lost five, which is no longer an indicator of the leaders in the common phase. Winning the opponent in their own way does not always work out.
Hoffenheim
1. Hoffenheim again fails to win In the current season, the “town” cause emotional swings for their fans. Not only because of results, but also because of the play, which is interrelated. Christian Ilzer’s team came out of the initial crisis and achieved three consecutive wins in different competitions against strong opponents, but then failed. First they were eliminated in the national cup by a second‑division representative, Killy (1:1), and over the weekend they failed to score against Werder in the league (0:2). Hoffenheim is unstable, and changing it is difficult, but that makes it unpredictable.
2. The visitors still have too many problems The personnel situation at Hoffenheim since the start of the season is far from optimal, as losses appeared almost every week. The list is endless: defenders Albian Hadiri, Robin Grana and Vladimir Zoufal, midfielders Valentin Gendri, Nathan De Cat and Bambase Conte, as well as forwards Kevin Wimmer and Max Mörstedt. All have injuries of varying degrees and recovery times. Some, like Hadiri, are doubtful for the match. But in such a situation no one will force events; it is expected that these players will return after the break.
3. The “town” almost never win away In the last eight home matches at Hoffenheim, they have two wins. The first in the cup against a clear outsider, and the second against weak Gladbach in the league before the coaching change. In the rest, five defeats and a cup exit. In the Europa League, the “town” lost to Greek OFI with no sign of progress. By the way, in the last seven meetings in this competition they only won once, but consistently conceded and did not handle the pressure. The next trip to England also does not promise anything good.
Approximate lineups
3-4-3 4-4 2-4-4
Benítez 26 Richards 5 Disasi 6 Kano 18 Kamada 20 Worton 3 Mitchell 30 Mingesa 11 Macknil 10 Pino 9 Nketia 1 Bauman 29 Abraha 5 Kabak 28 Matida 39 Roths 27 Krmarich 7 Abdulllah 18 Burger 14 Dagim 11 Aslani 19 Lempere
Trend betting
In five of the last six matches, Crystal Palace did not win. In four of the last five matches, Hoffenheim did not lose. Bet: H2 at 1.90.
In seven of the last ten matches of Hoffenheim and five of the last nine of Crystal Palace, no more than three goals were scored. Bet: TM 3.5 at 1.60.
Forecast
Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim 05.11.2026 21:45
A battle between teams that are now in the transition match zone, but very much in need of points, as after this round they could drop much lower. Both are in form and results are not optimal. Crystal Palace only had one win in the last six matches across different competitions. The hosts score a lot, especially in the Europa League, but it is not always enough for success due to defensive lapses. Hoffenheim, on the other hand, again provokes emotional swings among fans, with rare streaks of success interspersed with usual failures. In the two previous meetings, the visitors did not win, and lineup errors increased, arriving at this match without optimal form. Now, there is still a difficult trip, while on the “town” ground they appear insecure, with only a couple of wins in eight encounters against outsiders. In the UEL, even only one. The game will be fairly balanced, and the home favorite can draw. Forecast: 2-1
