Crawley Town vs Crystal Palace Prediction: Palace is playing their second friendly

Crawley Town will look to better their chances of a win as they host visitors, Crystal Palace, at the Broadfield Stadium in the Club Friendlies. Palace is playing their second friendly of the pre-season. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Crawley Town form

For seven years, Crawley labored in League Two, stuck at the wrong end of the table, including a terrible first half of the 2022-23 campaign that had them close to the trapdoor. Manager Scott Lindsey, who assumed the mantle in January 2023, saved the team and took it to safety, staying afloat above the drop zone in 22nd place. The following season, Lindsey steered Crawley to a surprise playoff push for promotion into League One, where they had not been since their last promotion in 2011-12. Crawley sealed a place in the playoffs by finishing seventh, then went on to crush MK Dons 8-1 on aggregate in the semifinal and beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 in the final at Wembley.

Crawley have so far played three friendly games as they prepare for their return to League One after six years away. They won 2-0 against Lewes and East Grinstead Town but lost to Wealdstone.

Predicted Crawley Town Lineup

Wollacott; Adeyemo, Mukena, Conroy, Flint; Kelly, Williams, Khaleel, Roles, Darcy; Hepburn-Murphy

Crystal Palace form

Under Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace has had so-so pre-season form to this point, with a draw against fellow League One team Charlton Athletic in their only friendly match to date.

Glasner took over the team in 14th place and guided them to a 10th-place finish, winning seven from 13 matches, with the final seven games producing six wins and a draw, a very satisfying climax to the 2023-24 season.

This comes despite losing star player Michael Olise to a transfer and the looming exit rumors of Eberechi Eze. The Eagles are positive in their approach as they look to play their first full season under the guidance of Glasner.The first pre-season game was not what they expected as they were down a goal just before the break courtesy of Charlton. They had Jesurun Rak-Sakyi come through for a 92nd-minute equalizer.

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup

Johnstone; Clyne, Holding, Riad; Ward, Hughes, Schlupp, Mitchell; Kamada, Rak-Sakyi; Edouard

Crawley Town vs Crystal Palace Expert Tips

Crawley put in some excellent performances in their opening pre-season games while Palace laboured against League One opposition in their opening friendly, but there's a chasm of difference in quality between the two teams and Palace come out on top here.