Crystal Palace vs Charlton Athletic Predictions

Cork City vs Stoke City predictions for this pre season clash. Crystal Palace start their 2024-25 preparations with a pre-season friendly against League One’s Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon. Read on for our free match preview and betting tips.

Club Friendlies | Jul 19, 2024 at 12pm UK

Don’t Have a William Hill account? Click below to claim this offer👇

Crystal Palace vs Charlton Athletic Predictions

Can Crystal Palace Dominate Charlton in Pre-Season Clash?

Crystal Palace will begin their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign with a pre-season friendly against League One side Charlton Athletic. This fixture provides both teams an opportunity to gauge their readiness ahead of their respective league campaigns. Palace, under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, are fine-tuning their squad for the Premier League opener against Brentford, while Charlton aim to bounce back after a disappointing League One season.

Crystal Palace’s Recent Form and Tactical Overview

Crystal Palace ended the last Premier League season on a high note, winning six of their final seven matches. This run included impressive victories over Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Aston Villa, underscoring their capability to compete with top-tier teams. The Eagles are now focusing on sustaining this form into the new season, with several pre-season fixtures lined up.

In terms of player movements, Crystal Palace have seen notable changes. The arrival of Daichi Kamada and Chadi Riad adds depth and quality to the squad. However, the departure of Michael Olise to Bayern Munich leaves a gap in their attacking options. Additionally, the absence of key players like Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, and Adam Wharton due to international commitments might affect their initial preparations.

Crystal Palace’s expected lineup for this match might look like this:

• Goalkeeper: Matthews
• Defenders: Ward, Holding, Riad, Mitchell
• Midfielders: Schlupp, Hughes, Doucoure
• Forwards: Rak-Sakyi, Ayew, Franca

This formation combines experienced campaigners with new talents, aiming to balance defensive stability and attacking flair.

Charlton Athletic’s Form and Strategy

Charlton Athletic, under Nathan Jones, finished 16th in League One last season. The Addicks are gearing up for another challenging season in the third tier and have already played three pre-season matches. Victories over Dartford and Goztepe were encouraging, but a loss to Millwall highlighted areas needing improvement.

Charlton’s squad has seen significant changes, with seven new signings, including Gassan Ahadme and Luke Berry, who are expected to feature prominently. The team’s strategy will likely involve giving opportunities to younger players while integrating new signings into the setup.

Charlton’s probable starting XI could be:

• Goalkeeper: Mannion
• Defenders: Z Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey
• Midfielders: Watson, Coventry, Berry, Anderson, Aneke
• Forwards: Kanu, Campbell

This lineup suggests a mix of youth and experience, aimed at testing their capabilities against higher-level opposition.

Key Areas and Match Dynamics

The midfield battle will be crucial in this encounter. Palace’s trio of Schlupp, Hughes, and Doucoure will need to dominate possession and create opportunities for their forwards. Charlton’s midfield, led by Coventry and Berry, must counter this with solid defensive work and quick transitions.

On the wings, Palace’s Rak-Sakyi and Franca will be pivotal in stretching Charlton’s defence and providing crosses for Ayew. Charlton’s full-backs will need to be vigilant to prevent Palace from exploiting wide areas.

Critique of Team and Managerial Strategies

Oliver Glasner has implemented a robust tactical framework at Palace, focusing on structured defence and quick counter-attacks. However, the loss of Olise could impact their attacking versatility. Glasner will need to find new ways to maintain offensive potency.

Nathan Jones faces the challenge of revitalising Charlton after a lacklustre season. His strategy to blend youth with experienced players shows promise, but consistency and defensive solidity remain areas of concern. Charlton’s tendency to concede goals, as evidenced by their 65 goals conceded last season, needs urgent addressing.

Predictions

Best Bet: Crystal Palace -2 to Win

Given Palace’s superior squad quality and Charlton’s defensive vulnerabilities, backing Palace to win by at least two goals seems a safe bet. Their attacking prowess and solid defence should see them secure a comfortable victory.

Correct Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-0 Charlton Athletic

Considering Palace’s attacking strength and Charlton’s defensive frailties, a 3-0 win for Palace is plausible. This scoreline reflects Palace’s ability to dominate and score freely while maintaining a clean sheet against a lower-tier side.

Goalscorer Prediction: Jordan Ayew to Score

Jordan Ayew, with his Premier League experience and knack for finding the net, is likely to score in this match. His positioning and finishing skills will be crucial against a Charlton defence that might struggle with his movement.

First Half Result: Crystal Palace Leading

Given Palace’s quality and the likelihood of them starting strongly to assert dominance, they are expected to be leading by half-time. Their ability to control the game early on will be key.

Innovative Market: Total Team Shots on Target – Crystal Palace Over 7.5

Crystal Palace’s attacking setup and the need to test their offensive strategies suggest they will have numerous shots on target. Given Charlton’s defensive record, Palace should comfortably exceed this number.

Top UK Bookies & Best Sign Up Offers 

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips

Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!