Palace are looking to move within touching distance of the top half of the table when they face the Tractor Boys on the weekend.
The Eagles are in tremendous form having only lost two of their 11 games they have played in 2025.
Glasner’s away record this season has been promising as the Eagles have the fourth best record away from home in the division. While at home their form is less promising as they have the 16th best record at their stadium.
Despite this, Crystal Palace have won their last two games at Selhurst Park. They beat Millwall 3-1 in the FA Cup Fifth Round last weekend to set up a cup Quarter Final clash with **Fulham.**They also recently beat Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League to get their third home win of the season in the division.
The visitors were also in action in the FA Cup Fifth Round being taken to penalties by Nottingham Forest but being knocked out. They sit 18th in the league on 17 points five points away from Wolves in 17th.
McKenna’s men are in the middle of a torrid run of form and have not won a league game in 2025. The last time they picked up three points in the league came against Chelsea at the end of December at Portman Road.
The reverse fixture was at the start of December and Palace won this 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta. But Palace will have to do without their French striker this time out.
Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Crystal Palace FC at Portman Road on December 3, 2024 in Ipswich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Nketiah gets his chance
Mateta was stretchered off the field last weekend on the 16th minute needing 25 stitches on a “severe laceration” to his left ear.
Reports are suggesting that the Frenchman “could be ready to return after the international break” when the **Quarter Final**s take place on the 29th March. Oliver Glasner confirmed that he is set to travel to Marbella and could do some individual training.
The man to replace him, Eddie Nketiah.
Eddie Nketiah, Ben Chilwell of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring a goal, later disallowed by referee during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park on March 1, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah, Ben Chilwell of Crystal Palace celebrates. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
The former Arsenal striker has been playing second fiddle to Mateta and only managed six starts in the league. But he is set to play against Ipswich with the Frenchman out.
He has played 19 times in the league but occasionally his appearances off the bench have come in the right sided 10 role which is not has natural favoured position.
However, as the season has gone on, he has seen his minutes increase playing as the 9 from the bench.
The summer signing’s confidence has increased in recent weeks as he has netted two in his last two games. The striker grabbed his first Palace Premier League goal last time out at Selhurst Park.
He has also managed three cup goals. These coming against Millwall in the FA Cup and QPR and Arsenal in the EFL Cup.
Who replaces Hughes
Will Hughes has been an ever present in Palace’s side this season having made 24 appearances in the 27 league games this season.
However, he will be unavailable for **Crystal Palace**’s next two league games against Ipswich and Southampton.
The Englishman picked up his 10th yellow card of the season against Aston Villa last week meaning he is suspended.
Adam Wharton has recently made his return from injury at the start of February. He made his first start back against Aston Villa last week and would be the obvious choice to start in midfield. The midfielder has seen himself linked with Real Madrid over the last week.
: Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Aston Villa FC at Selhurst Park on February 25, 2025 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Against South London rivals, Millwall, Jefferson Lerma partnered Hughes in midfield and could play apart against Ipswich.
Japanese international Daichi Kamada could also be in line for a recall to the starting eleven.
The summer signing last started in the 2-0 win against Man United at Old Trafford last month and was an unused substitute last weekend.
In his last game against Villa, he grabbed the pre assist for Nketiah’s first league goal in red and blue.
But the former Frankfurt man still awaits his first Premier League goal.
Franca in the squad again
Like Wharton, the Brazilian has also recently made a return from injury.
Franca has made two appearances this season which both came in the FA Cup in the last two rounds.
Matheus Franca of Crystal Palace during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park on March 1, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Matheus Franca of Crystal Palace. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
He has also made two appearances for the Under 21s as a part of his recovery.
The 20-year-old was out of the side for 11 months with injury problems with his last cameo of last season coming in the 3-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in March 2024.
Last time out Glasner opted for a more attacking bench with Caleb Kporha sacrificed from the matchday squad.
However, this time out with Palace having picked up the injury to Mateta, Matheus Franca could retain his place in the squad and gain some more valuable minutes.
Young defender Kporha may also return to the matchday squad in place of Mateta or Hughes having played with Franca on Monday in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal under 21s.
Rejuvenated Richards
The American has been a much-improved part of Glasner’s side this calendar year.
At the back end of 2024 he struggled for minutes with Trevoh Chalobah often starting in the back three alongside Maxence Lacroix and captain Marc Guehi.
But since Chelsea recalled Chalobah the 24 year old has really been showing what he is capable of.
Richards has started Palace’s last 12 games in all competitions where he has helped the team to six clean sheets while the Eagles have only conceded five goals in 2025 when he has been in the side.
Chris Richards of Crystal Palace controls ball during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park on March 1, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Chris Richards of Crystal Palace. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Last Saturday he put in a man of the match performance with an 8.0 SofaScore rating making one assist and being the match best for tackles, clearances and duels won.