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Tue 8 Sept · 19:45

Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough prediction

Follow Crystal PalaceFollow MiddlesbroughFollow this match
Round
Round of 32
Venue
Selhurst Park, London
Referee
T. Harrington

Published by the BetGenius Editorial Desk · Editorial policy

Form

Recent form

Crystal Palace
32Poor

Last 5 matches · 1W-1D-3L · -6 goal difference

Middlesbrough
68Strong

Last 5 matches · 2W-3D-0L · +2 goal difference

Our call

Our verdict

Double Chance
Crystal Palace or Draw

BetGenius backs Crystal Palace or Draw (Double Chance) at 74% confidence — a solid call. Total goals: Over 2.5 Goals.

74%
Confidence
Solid
Preview

Match preview

Crystal Palace host Middlesbrough in the Round of 32 of the EFL Cup, looking to build momentum after securing a 3-2 away victory against Fulham. The Eagles have experienced an up-and-down run of recent results, recording two wins alongside three defeats across their last five matches in all competitions.

Middlesbrough travel to London in dependable form, carrying a four-match unbeaten sequence into this fixture. Their recent run includes away victories over QPR and Doncaster, a home win against West Brom, and a 1-1 draw at Burnley, having found the back of the net in each of their last five outings.

With Crystal Palace contending with the absences of J. Mateta, I. Sarr, and C. Riad, and Middlesbrough missing J. Sarmiento, squad depth will play an important role. Crystal Palace have historically won three of their four home encounters against Middlesbrough, giving them a slight edge on their own ground.

Analysis

Key factors

  1. Crystal Palace have won three of their four historical home matches against Middlesbrough.
  2. Middlesbrough enter the match on a four-game unbeaten run, having scored in all of their last five matches.
  3. Crystal Palace are coming off a high-scoring 3-2 away victory against Fulham.
  4. Crystal Palace will be without J. Mateta, I. Sarr, and C. Riad due to injury.
Availability

Team news

Crystal Palace

  • D. HendersonFoot Injury
  • C. RiadKnee Injury
  • Q. TimberInjury
  • T. TomiyasuCalf Injury
  • J. LarsenInjury

Middlesbrough

  • A. JonesCalf Injury
  • R. PukstasInjury
  • D. StrelecInjury
Numbers

Statistical comparison

Crystal Palace at homeMiddlesbrough away
3
Played
5
1-0-2
W-D-L
2-2-1
2
Scored /game
1.6
2.7
Conceded /game
1.4
—
Clean sheets
20%
—
Failed to score
0%
60%
BTTS (last 5)
80%
80%
Over 2.5 (last 5)
80%

Combined scoring rate: 3.6 goals per game (Crystal Palace at home plus Middlesbrough away).

Players

Key players this season

Crystal Palace

  • J. Strand Larsen2G

League scoring and assist totals for this season — not a predicted lineup. Availability is only shown where team news names the same player.

History

Head-to-head

Full record →
4
Crystal Palace
1
Draws
3
Middlesbrough

Crystal Palace have won 4 of the last 8 meetings, averaging 2.1 goals a game.

  • 2018-10-31Middlesbrough1-0Crystal Palace
  • 2017-02-25Crystal Palace1-0Middlesbrough
  • 2016-09-10Middlesbrough1-2Crystal Palace
  • 2013-02-16Crystal Palace4-1Middlesbrough
  • 2012-08-25Middlesbrough2-1Crystal Palace
BetGenius

Our record in EFL Cup

73%41 won from 56 settled predictions

Settled results only — every published pick is recorded win or lose. Full track record →

Based on at least 20 settled predictions.
Predictions

1 published market

FeaturedWON
Double Chance
Crystal Palace or Draw
74%
Confidence

Crystal Palace showed sharp attacking qualities in their recent 3-2 win against Fulham and hold the home advantage in this cup tie, having won three of four historical home matches against Middlesbrough. Although Middlesbrough enter on a four-game unbeaten run and have scored in five consecutive matches, facing higher-tier opposition away from home remains a demanding task. Backing Crystal Palace to win or draw covers the likelihood of a tight knockout battle while accounting for recent team absences.

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Published September 7, 2026. Form, team news and table context refresh automatically.