Crystal Palace host Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa League, in a first-ever meeting between the clubs and Palace’s first game against German opposition. Palace arrive 15th in the league phase on four points, while Hoffenheim are 23rd on three points.
This Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim prediction is a fascinating one for bettors because both sides arrive in contrasting form: Hoffenheim have won three of their last five, including 3-0 wins over Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon, while Palace have won just one of their last five and conceded 11 goals in that run.
Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim Match Preview
Palace’s recent run has been poor: a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham and a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle either side of a 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Fulham, with a 2-2 Europa League draw at Besiktas and a 5-0 defeat at Brighton before that. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, lost 2-0 at Werder Bremen in their last game but drew 1-1 at Holstein Kiel in the DFB-Pokal, beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 and Lyon 3-0, and won 2-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Team Recent Form
Crystal Palace (most recent first): L-W-L-D-L — Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League); Fulham 0-1 Crystal Palace (Carabao Cup); Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle (Premier League); Besiktas 2-2 Crystal Palace (Europa League); Brighton 5-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League).
Hoffenheim (most recent first): L-D-W-W-W — Werder Bremen 2-0 Hoffenheim (Bundesliga); Holstein Kiel 1-1 Hoffenheim (DFB-Pokal, 90 minutes); Hoffenheim 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga); Hoffenheim 3-0 Lyon (Europa League); Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Hoffenheim (Bundesliga).
Key Stats
- Crystal Palace have scored just three goals and conceded 11 in their last five games, winning only one of them.
- Hoffenheim have won three of their last five games, scoring nine goals in their last three wins, including 3-0 wins over Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
- Palace have four points from three Europa League games (one win, one draw, one defeat), one more than Hoffenheim’s three.
2-2 is our correct-score prediction: Hoffenheim’s scoring form should see them find the net twice, but Palace’s need for points at home and Mateta’s return up front should keep the hosts in the game.
Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim H2H
This is the first-ever meeting between Crystal Palace and Hoffenheim in any competition, so there is no head-to-head history to draw on. It is also Palace’s first game against German opposition.
Pre Game Odds
- Crystal Palace win: 1.95
- Draw: 4.00
- Hoffenheim win: 3.74
Odds via 22bet through MightyTips (checked 3 Nov 2026), pre-match and subject to change.
Team News Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are without Ismaila Sarr (groin), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) and Chadi Riad (knee). Jorgen Strand Larsen (ankle) and Quinten Timber (hamstring) may return to the matchday squad. Jean-Philippe Mateta is available for this Europa League game despite his Premier League red card against Tottenham and is expected to lead the line.
Predicted Crystal Palace XI (predicted only, not confirmed): Henderson; Canvot, Disasi, Richards; Khalaili, Wharton, Doucoure, Chilwell; Pino, Nketiah; Mateta.
Team News Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim are without Valentin Gendrey (broken leg), Bambase Conte (adductor), Patrick Wimmer (hamstring), Albain Hajdari (foot), Nathan De Cat (knee) and Max Moerstedt (head). Vladimir Coufal (thigh) is a doubt, while Alexander Prass is available again after missing the Werder Bremen defeat through suspension.
Predicted Hoffenheim XI (predicted only, not confirmed): Baumann; Abraha, Kabak, Machida, Rots; Prass, Avdullahu; Kramaric, Daghim; Lemperle, Hlozek.
Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Draw. Tip 2 – Over-Under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals. Tip 3 – BTTS Yes-No: Both teams to score – Yes.
Hoffenheim’s scoring form and Palace’s leaky defence point to goals at both ends, but neither side has the form to be trusted for all three points, so a score draw looks the value.
Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim prediction
For more on this Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim prediction, see more match previews on Sports Buddy.
Our Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim prediction is a 2-2 draw, and this Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim prediction reflects the scoring trends in both teams’ recent games.
This Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim prediction also points to goals at both ends, which is why the Crystal Palace vs Hoffenheim prediction in the match card is a draw with Over 2.5 goals.
