Crystal Palace head into the New Year’s Day London derby against Fulham with several key absences, which should heavily shape Oliver Glasner’s selection at Selhurst Park. The biggest confirmed news is that Chris Richards and Eddie Nketiah will not be in the matchday squad, meaning Palace will likely keep their recent structure but swap in the next best fit across the back line and forward options.
Crystal Palace team news vs Fulham
| Status | Player | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Out | Chris Richards | Ruled out for Fulham at Selhurst Park |
| Out | Eddie Nketiah | Ruled out for Fulham at Selhurst Park |
| Out | Ismaïla Sarr | Away at AFCON with Senegal |
| Out | Daniel Muñoz | Injury listed by Premier League and FPL team news roundups |
| Out | Daichi Kamada | Injury listed by Premier League and FPL team news roundups |
| Out | Cheick Doucouré | Injury listed by Premier League and FPL team news roundups |
| Out | Chadi Riad | Injury or fitness concern listed by Premier League and FPL team news roundups |
| Out | Caleb Kporha | Injury listed by Premier League and FPL team news roundups |
Crystal Palace predicted XI vs Fulham
With Richards and Nketiah confirmed out, a 3-4-2-1 still makes the most sense for Palace, but the personnel leans toward a more workmanlike front line, with Jean-Philippe Mateta as the focal point and runners behind him. This predicted XI aligns with how Palace have been discussed in match previews for this fixture once you factor in the confirmed absences:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Dean Henderson |
| RCB | Jefferson Lerma |
| CB | Maxence Lacroix |
| LCB | Marc Guéhi |
| RWB | Nathaniel Clyne |
| CM | Adam Wharton |
| CM | Will Hughes |
| LWB | Tyrick Mitchell |
| RAM | Justin Devenny |
| LAM | Yéremy Pino |
| ST | Jean-Philippe Mateta |
What the lineup change means tactically
Without Nketiah available, Palace are less likely to rotate at center forward, so Mateta’s hold-up play becomes even more important. The flip side is that Fulham may be able to defend a little higher if Palace lack a second natural striker option off the bench. On the wings, Clyne filling in at right wingback is a realistic solution with Muñoz still unavailable, but it can slightly reduce Palace’s top-end pace and recovery runs out wide.
Predicted substitutes bench options
This is where Palace’s injuries bite, because several usual rotation pieces are either out or away.
| Role | Likely options |
|---|---|
| GK cover | Walter Benítez |
| Defensive cover | Nathaniel Clyne or additional center back depth depending on the matchday squad |
| Midfield cover | One of the remaining fit central midfielders beyond Wharton and Hughes |
| Attacking cover | Additional wide or second-striker options depend on who is fit, with Nketiah and Sarr unavailable |
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