It has been a difficult start for Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage and he may welcome a Europa League fixture against Hoffenheim as a relief as his team sit in the bottom three of the Premier League.
A 4-0 win over Lech Poznan in their first league phase match of this season's Europa League was the Eagles' most convincing performance of the campaign.
A repeat against their Bundesliga opponents, who tend to struggle on the road in European competition, would be just the ticket.
Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim Tips Summary
Best Bet - Crystal Palace to win @ 17/20
Alternative Bet - Yeremy Pino to score at any time @ 11/4
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, Daichi Kamada 1+ shot & Wouter Burger to be booked @ 49/10
Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim Prediction
Best Bet: Crystal Palace to win @ 17/20
Oliver Glasner was always going to be a tough act to follow for new Palace boss Sage and he would dearly love a Europa League victory over Hoffenheim on Thursday to ease the pressure after a wobbly start to the campaign.
After winning the FA Cup and the Conference League, expectations have risen at Selhurst Park, yet the Eagles find themselves in the relegation places, although they remain strong on their own patch in Europe and can get the better of Bundesliga visitors Hoffenheim.
The German side beat Lyon at home, but have lost to OFI Crete and Besiktas and have won just one of their last six away games in all competitions.
That record is identical to what they have registered in their last six European away matches, so this looks a good chance for Palace to bounce back after their recent Premier League disappointments.
Alternative Bet: Yeremy Pino to score at any time @ 11/4
Sage will be pleased to have striker Jean-Philippe Mateta available again despite his red card in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but Yeremy Pino has been the Eagles player to look out for in this season's Europa League.
The Spaniard hit the target in Palace’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, which remains his only league goal of the campaign, but he has made his mark in each of the Eagles’ three games in this competition against Lech Poznan, Lyon and Besiktas.
He plainly flourishes in European competition and looks a decent price to maintain his excellent scoring sequence on Thursdays.
Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 goals
Daichi Kamada 1+ shot
Wouter Burger to be booked
Pays 49/10
While the Eagles have had problems finding the net in their recent Premier League games, there have been 13 goals in their three Europa League matches so their clash with Hoffenheim may not be a nervy, tight one.
All but three of the 13 matches played by the Bundesliga side this season have managed to generate at least three goals and that pattern could continue at Selhurst Park.
Do not be surprised if Palace's Daichi Kamada makes his presence felt in the final third.
The Japanese midfielder has had a shot in six of his last seven appearances for the Eagles - the exception was their 5-0 Premier League defeat at arch-rivals Brighton - and he should be relied upon to try his luck again on Thursday.
There is also a strong chance that Hoffenheim midfielder Wouter Burger will find his name in the referee’s notebook.
That has happened on five occasions when he has been in action this term, including in their 3-0 home win over Lyon, and we could see a repeat of that scenario.
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Key Match Stats
Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last seven home European matches
Hoffenheim have won just one of their last six European road games
More than two goals have been scored in 10 of Hoffenheim's 13 matches this season
The Bundesliga side have lost all five of their European matches against English opposition
Over 3.5 goals has been a winning bet in all three of Palace’s Europa League matches this season
Yeremy Pino has scored Palace’s first goal in each of their three Europa League games
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
