July 11 2025

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have impressed this summer not only in terms of early preparations but also in terms of structure and tactical clarity, writes James Blake.

Their 2025 pre-season features scheduled friendlies against Bromley, Crawley Town, Mainz 05, and FC Augsburg. They recently recorded a 1–0 win over Millwall in a behind-closed-doors match, highlighting a positive start under Oliver Glasner. While the rest of the fixtures are still to be played, early signs suggest that the squad is beginning to reflect Glasner’s tactical identity. The fixtures may be friendlies, but the cohesion is already noticeable.

Momentum Meets Market Movement

Palace’s growing unity hasn’t gone unnoticed. As their tactical structure tightens, perception around the club is shifting in broader football circles. While pundits have yet to formally revise projections, early buzz from tactical analysts and fans points to a more organised and deliberate side. Social sentiment suggests that this Palace team looks more assured and synchronised than in recent seasons.

Although no dramatic betting shifts have been officially tracked, some UK operators, such as Esports Insider UK, are promoting early-season odds and football accumulators that include Palace among the teams to watch. More significantly, betting platforms have continued their broader rollout of responsible gambling tools, with clearer loss limits, cooling-off periods, and improved dashboards becoming more common industry-wide.

Palace’s summer isn't just about results; it’s about how their preparation is being viewed within the wider football ecosystem.

Fresh Arrivals Shift the Dynamic

Crystal Palace’s transfer window has remained low-key, but internally, the team appears to be evolving. With Eberechi Eze fully returning to training, Palace’s attacking transitions have appeared sharper in training sessions.

Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma will continue to alternate in midfield roles depending on the opposition's style, while younger talents are earning recognition during training and closed matches. Their increased visibility hints at a long-term project that aims to blend youth with experience.

Defensively, Glasner is continuing with the 3-4-2-1 system trialled late last season. Wide players are showing greater discipline in tracking back, and centre-backs are stepping confidently into midfield when needed — signs of improved tactical confidence and clarity.

Bookmakers Respond to Summer Form

While there’s no confirmed major shift in betting markets, some operators have included Palace in expanded top-half or matchday specials, hinting at growing interest. Some bookmakers have added specific markets involving Palace’s early fixtures, but player-specific markets such as Eze scoring 10+ league goals or his assist tally remain speculative and largely unavailable at this point in the pre-season.

What is clear is that bookmakers typically do not adjust markets significantly during friendlies unless substantial squad or tactical changes occur, so the attention on Palace suggests some growing interest.

Tactical Identity Taking Shape

Glasner’s tactical model has become more refined since his arrival. The 3-4-2-1 structure implemented during the latter part of last season has now been reinforced, allowing the team to maintain shape both with and without the ball. That cohesion has been particularly visible in midfield, where Hughes and Lerma have alternated roles depending on the opposition shape and in-game tempo.

With Borna Sosa now added to the mix, Palace have more options when building play. Possession in the middle third has improved, with pre-season metrics suggesting a notable rise in passing accuracy in forward areas. The pressing game has also evolved — rather than isolated efforts, Palace now hunts in structured sequences, often forcing mistakes in areas that lead to immediate attacking chances.

What stands out is the sense of unity across the pitch. Transitions have been smoother, wide players are tracking back with urgency, and defenders have been increasingly confident stepping into midfield to break up play. All of these points point to a coaching setup that has taken full advantage of the summer window.

Supporters Notice the Change

Among Crystal Palace fans, confidence has begun to build steadily. Comments from training ground observers and online discussions reveal that the excitement isn’t just about the scores — it’s the tempo of play, defined responsibilities, and sharp physical condition that are drawing praise.

Youngsters have become talking points too, with their progress viewed as a sign that Palace are planning not just for the present, but for seasons ahead. There’s a noticeable harmony now between up-and-coming talent and experienced heads, and the collective performances so far reflect a group moving in the right direction.

Broader Market Movements

While most UK bookmakers have not yet made significant changes to their long-term odds, such as point totals or relegation probabilities, subtle shifts are occurring. In some upcoming matches, Crystal Palace have moved from slight underdogs to near-even odds — an indicator that betting markets are beginning to account for their summer progress.

While these movements are minor on the surface, they signal that expectations are being recalibrated. Palace are not among the favourites by any means, but they are steadily being regarded as a team capable of a stronger, more composed campaign.

Crystal Palace’s summer so far reflects more than a few positive results — it reflects a team that’s gradually buying into a tactical model and building internal momentum. While concrete betting shifts and public projections remain limited, the cohesion, youth integration, and tactical structure under Glasner suggest that Palace are quietly preparing for a more competitive Premier League season in 2025–26.