There was a lot of optimism surrounding Crystal Palace going into the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
It’s their first full season under Oliver Glasner, who joined midway through the 2023-24 campaign to steer the Eagles to safety. Some fans were dreaming of a comfortable season, and Palace were given a pre-season 41.7% chance of finishing in the top 10 per implied probability.
The Eagles made a poor start to the campaign and took until their ninth game to record a victory. However, since then, the Eagles have improved drastically and now sit 12th in the table, just four points adrift of the top half.
Palace’s odds of breaking into the top 10 are 8/1 according to BetMGM, which represents an implied probability of 11.11%. Of course, they could still qualify for Europe if they win the FA Cup.
Latest Crystal Palace odds to finish in the 2024-25 Premier League top half
| Betting Market | Odds | Implied Probability | Opta Probability |
| Crystal Palace to finish in the 2024-25 Premier League top half | 8/1 with BetMGM | 11.11% | – |
Crystal Palace’s transfer window business
Crystal Palace transfers in
Crystal Palace did add to their squad in the summer, with Eddie Nketiah the highlight. The Eagles also signed Maxence Lacroix, Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Chadi Riad, with Trevoh Chalobah and Matt Turner joining on loan.
As for January, they signed talented England youth international Romain Esse from Millwall, with the winger scoring on his Premier League debut against Brentford.
Crystal Palace transfers out
Crystal Palace’s departures have been given as a reason for their poor start. The Eagles saw Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen both leave, joining Bayern Munich and Fulham respectively. Andersen’s departure came very late in the window, leaving Crystal Palace unable to replace him. Sam Johnstone and Jordan Ayew also left permanently, while Odsonne Edouard departed on loan — all staying in the Premier League.
In January, Jeffrey Schlupp, Rob Holding and Luke Plange all left on loan for Celtic, Sheffield United and Motherwell, respectively. Chalobah was also recalled by Chelsea from his loan.
Who are Crystal Palace’s most important players?
Crystal Palace’s top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Jean-Philippe Mateta
Jean-Philippe Mateta endured a slow start to the season, especially in the context of his stunning end to 2023-24. However, the Frenchman is well on track now, sitting on 13 goals from 32 games, nine of which have come since the turn of the year.
Only nine players have scored more goals than Mateta this season and while he’s not going to win the Golden Boot, he has ensured Palace are looking up rather than down. He’s probably given himself a great chance of attracting some suitors in the summer, too.
Crystal Palace’s primary playmaker: Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze leads Crystal Palace in almost all attacking metrics. He’s had 91 shots and generated 7.9 xG. And the Englishman is also Crystal Palace’s creative threat, laying up a team-high 51 chances and eight assists, while his 59 take-ons completed leaves him 41 clear of any teammate.
As the season has gone on, Eze has done a great job of filling the hole left by Michael Olise’s summer departure.
Crystal Palace’s card magnets & top tacklers: Daniel Munoz
Daniel Munoz has been an all-action machine down the right for Palace this season. The fiery Colombian is first among his teammates for tackles (107) and second for fouls (47) and interceptions (37), but has still had time to score four goals and provide four assists.
Munoz has been booked nine times so far this season, which is second at Palace to Will Hughes, but two of those have come in his last two appearances.
Crystal Palace’s rising star: Adam Wharton
Having arrived from his boyhood club Blackburn earlier this year, many tipped Adam Wharton for great things, but few foresaw what soon transpired. Wharton, comfortable across various midfield positions, alternated between playing in front of Palace’s defence or more centrally.
His composure and technique earned plaudits and an England call-up, resulting in a 28-minute cameo against Bosnia before making the Three Lions’ full Euro 2024 squad, although he never got onto the pitch. Wharton, who recently turned 21, suffered from injuries earlier this season but more recently, his minutes have started increasing again, so expect his development to do the same thing soon.
Crystal Palace’s set-piece specialists:
- Penalties: Jean-Philippe Mateta
- Free kicks: Eberechi Eze
- Corners: Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace tactical analysis, formation & player ratings
Crystal Palace team stats from the 2023-24 Premier League season (avg per game):
- Corners: 4.68
- Shots on target: 4.45
- Shots on target conceded: 12.1
- Offsides: 1.89
Crystal Palace 2024-25 player ratings*
- GK: Dean Henderson – 65% – Henderson is one of the better-ranking goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, averaging 0.13 goals prevented per 90.
- RWB: Daniel Munoz – 71% – Munoz has been Crystal Palace’s best player per the Squawka Score, thanks in part to his 0.15 non-penalty xG per 90 and 2.2 tackles won — placing him in the 95th percentile and above among full-backs.
- CB: Chris Richards – 52% – Although his Score is underwhelming, Richards has still averaged 5.06 clearances per 90.
- CB: Maxence Lacroix – 59% – Lacroix’s 5.67 clearances per 90 places him in the 95th percentile and above among centre-backs. He also ranks highly for his 1.65 interceptions retaining possession per 90.
- CB: Marc Guehi – 63% – Guehi has averaged 4.49 clearances per 90 and 64.08% of his ground duels, the latter placing him in the 80-95th percentile among centre-backs.
- LWB: Tyrick Mitchell – 58% – Mitchell has won 59.18% of his ground duels this season, a respectable amount for his position. He’s also averaged 2.63 clearances per 90.
- DM: Will Hughes – 48% – Hughes has averaged 2.09 possessions won in the defensive third per 90, alongside 1.6 tackles won.
- DM: Jefferson Lerma – 54% – Lerma has averaged 1.57 interceptions retaining possession and 0.19 interceptions inside his own box per 90 this season.
- AM: Ismaila Sarr – 61% – Sarr has stepped up at the right time for Palace, and has had a decent season. He’s averaged 0.27 goals per 90 and 0.11 intentional assists, from 0.21 xA per 90.
- AM: Eberechi Eze – 58% – Eze sits in the 95th percentile and above among wingers for shots per 90 at 3.58, while he has also averaged 6.34 penalty area entries per 90.
- ST: Jean-Philippe Mateta – 63% – Mateta’s 2025 surge has him averaging 0.48 goals per 90 across the campaign, from 0.39 non-penalty xG. The Frenchman also has 45.9% shooting accuracy.
Since arriving, Oliver Glasner has exclusively used a back three. This season he has favoured the 3-4-2-1, with two narrow attacking midfielders allowing the wing-backs to get forward.
But Glasner is yet to find the right combination of personnel. Injuries haven’t helped, especially at centre-back, with Glasner only just getting into what you’d expect to be his first-choice back three. Dean Henderson has been solid in goal, though.
Crystal Palace’s full Premier League 2024-25 squad
| PLAYER NAME | POSITION | AGE |
| Dean Henderson | Goalkeeper | 28 |
| Matt Turner | Goalkeeper | 30 |
| Remi Matthews | Goalkeeper | 31 |
| Marc Guehi | Defender | 24 |
| Tyrick Mitchell | Defender | 25 |
| Daniel Munoz | Defender | 28 |
| Maxence Lacroix | Defender | 25 |
| Ben Chilwell | Defender | 28 |
| Chadi Riad | Defender | 21 |
| Chris Richards | Defender | 25 |
| Nathaniel Clyne | Defender | 34 |
| Caleb Kporha | Defender | 18 |
| Joel Ward | Defender | 35 |
| Eberechi Eze | Midfielder | 26 |
| Adam Wharton | Midfielder | 21 |
| Cheick Doucoure | Midfielder | 25 |
| Ismaila Sarr | Midfielder | 27 |
| Daichi Kamada | Midfielder | 28 |
| Jefferson Lerma | Midfielder | 30 |
| Matheus Franca | Midfielder | 21 |
| Will Hughes | Midfielder | 30 |
| Justin Devenny | Midfielder | 21 |
| Kaden Rodney | Midfielder | 20 |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | Forward | 27 |
| Eddie Nketiah | Forward | 25 |
| Romain Esse | Forward | 20 |
| Malcolm Ebiowei | Forward | 21 |
Crystal Palace FAQs
Where did Crystal Palace finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season?
Crystal Palace achieved their highest placement in nine years by finishing tenth in the 2023/24 Premier League standings.
Who is the Crystal Palace manager?
Oliver Glasner took over as Crystal Palace manager in February 2024, replacing Roy Hodgson. He managed to secure 24 points out of a possible 39 to conclude the 2023-24 season.
Who is the current Crystal Palace captain?
Joel Ward is Crystal Palace’s club captain, a role he inherited from Luka Milivojevic when he departed the club in the summer of 2023. But Ward has not featured in the Premier League this season, with Marc Guehi donning the armband in his stead.
What is Crystal Palace’s best Premier League finish?
Crystal Palace’s best Premier League finish is 10th, which they’ve achieved twice (2014-15 and 2022-23).
How do Squawka player ratings work?*
Squawka’s new player rating system is completely stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
Using extensive research and our expertise, we’ve tailored each score to the player’s position. For example, forwards’ scores are based on metrics such as shots on target, touches in the opposition box and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes and so on.
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