September 30 2026

Selhurst Park

Discover why the international break could have come at the right time for Pierre Sage and Crystal Palace, writes Ben Leyland.

The first international break of the new season has arrived, and for some clubs it will have come at the wrong time, but for Crystal Palace and manager Pierre Sage, it's perhaps come at just the right time. After five Premier League games played, the Eagles have won one, drawn one and lost three, but their most recent outing, a 0-0 draw away at Leeds United, suggests things are about to improve.

For Palace fans, they would probably much rather be watching their team in action during what is an extended international break. Instead of it being a two-week break, it's a three-week break, with the Eagles not set to play their next Premier League fixture until the 11th of October. The good news is that Parimatch, a platform many will use to place bets on Palace, also has themed casino games available to play, ideal remedies for the boredom of international breaks.

What The Leeds Game Suggests

Going to Leeds United and coming away with something is certainly a positive result. Daniel Farke's side have drawn with high-flying Brentford and demolished Newcastle United at Elland Road so far in the Premier League, and many expected Palace to struggle against them. However, while it finished 0-0, there were positives to take from the game.

You could say that Sage's style of play is starting to come through, and that not only did Palace match Leeds as a result, but they bettered them in some key areas. The Eagles had more so-called big chances and double the number of shots on target, with Leeds registering two and Palace four. After recent reports that Sage could be under pressure already, these green shoots are a positive sign.

Time On The Training Pitch

Now, some Palace players won't be available to Sage and his coaching team over the next several weeks as they'll be on international duty, but those who remain at the club will get plenty of time with their manager under their belt, and this could enable the Frenchman to get his ideas across more thoroughly and without the interruption of games.

Managers often speak about the inability to really work with players in training during the season due to the hectic schedules they have to deal with. And, in Sage and Palace's case, they're not just competing in the Premier League and Carabao Cup at present, as the Eagles are also playing in the Europa League. Time on the grass could be crucial in speeding up the players' understanding of what's expected of them tactically.

Recovering Key Players

What the international break also represents is a chance for injured players to recover and be ready for the next run of domestic fixtures. Forward Ismaila Sarr is one of those players. The Senegal international has been out with a groin injury since the start of the 2026/27 season but has recently made appearances off the bench, first against Lech Poznan in the Europa League and then against Leeds. Having the 28-year-old back available will be a huge boost.

Conclusion

Crystal Palace are a club that can really take advantage of this international break. The performance against Leeds United showed manager Pierre Sage's methods are coming through, and with this extra time on the grass and players coming back from injury, it could see them hit the ground running when the domestic action restarts.