Crystal Palace - Lech Poznan

Can Crystal Palace find defensive stability as they welcome Lech Poznan to Selhurst Park on 17 September 2026 for this Europa League matchday 1 encounter? The hosts are expected to feature Dean Henderson in goal behind a back four of Tyrick Mitchell, Honest Ahanor, Axel Disasi, and Chris Richards, while the attacking threat will rely on Joergen Strand Larsen and Yeremy Pino. Palace must navigate this opening fixture without the injured Edward Nketiah, looking to recover from a recent 3-2 league defeat to Ipswich Town.

Lech Poznan arrive in England following a narrow 2-1 loss to Gornik Zabrze, though their progress through the qualifying rounds remains a highlight of their campaign. The visitors are expected to field Mikael Ishak up front, supported by a midfield anchored by Radoslaw Murawski and Gustav Berggren. With Antoni Kozubal sidelined by injury, the Polish side will look to maintain the momentum that saw them put seven goals past Thun earlier in the competition.