Crystal Palace travel to Istanbul to face Beşiktaş in the Europa League on Thursday, needing a swift response after a heavy defeat at the weekend. The match at the Tüpraş Stadium kicks off at 20:00 local time, 21:00 CET, for the third round of the competition's League Stage.
Palace's preparations are overshadowed by a 5-0 loss away to Brighton last Saturday, a match in which they conceded four times in the first half. That result leaves the club 14th in the Premier League table with just seven points from their opening seven matches, a record of two wins, one draw and four defeats. They have conceded 17 goals already this season, the second-worst defensive record in the division, while scoring only nine for a minus eight goal difference. They now find themselves a significant 14 points behind the league leaders, Manchester City.
Recent struggles
Before the Brighton defeat, they were beaten 3-2 by Lyon in their previous Europa League outing, a game where Yeremy Pino and Daichi Kamada scored for Palace. Their only win in the last five games was a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest earlier this month, part of a recent run of one win, one draw and three losses. Other recent results include a 0-2 home loss to Bristol City and a 0-0 draw at Leeds.
Beşiktaş, managed by Marco Rose, present a formidable challenge. The Turkish side come into the game off the back of a 3-2 win over Hoffenheim in their last European match. Their likely lineup includes experienced internationals like Dušan Vlahović and Leandro Trossard.
Palace's last starting XI featured Benítez in goal behind a back three of Jaydee Canvot, Richards and Ahanor. Canvot was involved in an own goal in the 5-0 loss to Brighton on Sunday 18 October. Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada, who scored in Lyon, will be key in midfield. The club's standings position adds pressure to find a positive result in Europe.
Forward Hyeongyu Oh stressed the team's commitment. "As long as my coach and our fans trust me, I will give my all," said the 25-year-old.
After this trip, Palace return to Premier League action at home to Newcastle United on Sunday, 25 October. Newcastle currently sit 11th in the table.
