With 2026 approaching, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner looked ahead to the first match of the new year and the subsequent schedule at the pre-match press conference.

Just four weeks after Craven Cottage's 2-1 comeback victory over Fulham, the two teams are set to meet again. Glasner believes that while the victory four weeks ago may feel distant due to the extremely congested recent schedule, the tactical structure and personnel of both sides have not changed significantly.

“There are no secrets between the two sides now,” Glasner said. “In that game, we won thanks to Gue’s corner kick winner, which had an element of luck, but it also reflected the team’s resilience. This time, we expect to defeat our opponents with a more mature performance, without relying on luck, with the support of our home fans.”

When discussing the upcoming schedule, Glasner offered a unique perspective. For him, the real 2026 season doesn't officially begin until the match against Marcosfield on January 10th.

Glasner explained: "Since November, we've been in extreme mode, playing every three days. Injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations have taken their toll. But after January 10th, we'll have a long period of playing one game a week. Those four weeks of training will feel like a second preseason for us."

Despite Crystal Palace's recent brief winless streak, Glasner remains confident in the team's performance. He specifically mentioned the fans' support: "Our fans are everywhere, they always follow us no matter how busy the schedule is. We need that strength."

Glasner concluded that the current situation is much more optimistic than when he first took over the team, when the pressure of avoiding relegation was immense. He firmly believes that as long as the team maintains a high level of performance, the results will naturally follow.