* **Manager:** Maarten Martens
* **Nickname:** _De Kaasboeren_ (The Cheese Farmers)
* **Ground:** AFAS Stadion
* **Founded:** 1967 (58 years ago)
Martens will be missing several players from the game at Selhurst Park, reducing his options in midfield. Denso Kasius, Ro-Zangelo Daal, Matej Sin, Dave Kwakman, Jordy Clasie, Mexx Meerdink, and Seiya Maikuma all have not travelled.
That could result in youngsters Kasper Boogaard (19-years-old) and Andrea Natali (20-years-old) enjoying their first European playing minutes in SE25.
In his press conference previewing the match, Martens revealed one starter – at right-back, in place of the injured Kasius – to be **Elijah Dijkstra**.
The head coach said: "He \[Kasius\] came out of the match with an injury. Initially, we thought it was more of a knock, but there's a bit more to it. He's just not fit enough for this match yet.
"Every player you lose is frustrating. We've lost a few more in recent days, so that's quite unusual, but that happens sometimes during a season. It goes without saying that Denso is a player with enormous qualities. The great thing is that he \[Dijkstra\] has the same characteristics, which is why he's on the list."
On Boogard, Martens added: "We've had Kasper in the squad a few times already, including last season. If he has to play a bit tomorrow, we have every confidence in him."
### In their words...
**Martens also outlined the challenge he expects to face against Palace at Selhurst Park:** "It is a team with very specific qualities and a very clear playing style. They have really good weapons in transition: speed, strength, and good organisation.
"They often give the initiative to the opponent, and I expect that to be the case on Thursday as well. It will be important that we're well organised if we lose the ball.
"I don't think we should adopt a completely different approach in the phase we're in.
"In the last match here at home, they were surprised by AEK Larnaca – I don't think that will happen twice, so we will have to be at our top level."