Player Welfare At The Forefront As Glasner Balances Crystal Palace's Hectic Festive Schedule

Oliver Glasner is preparing to rotate Crystal Palace heavily as the team enters a demanding stretch of festive fixtures, starting with a must-win Conference League meeting against KuPS at Selhurst Park, followed quickly by Premier League action versus Leeds United and an EFL Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Palace know victory over their Finnish visitors is essential if they are to stay on course for a top-eight finish in the Conference League league phase, which would keep hopes of automatic last-16 qualification alive as the schedule intensifies across domestic and European competitions.

Glasner has largely kept a stable starting XI during the 2025-26 campaign, yet the head coach confirmed that the visit of KuPS will trigger significant rotation,

driven by concerns over fatigue as Palace approach their 27th match of the season across all competitions.

"I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago, no player will start against both KuPs and Leeds, Glasner told reporters on Wednesday. I and we all feel responsible for the players' welfare. I just spoke to Will [Hughes] and he experienced it a few years agoplaying on Boxing Day and December 28. Sometimes there were games, and he played itbut I just think now the intensity of the game has increased. Maybe you could do it once, but it's our 27thgame now [this season], and we have to think further ahead,because we play on December 18, 20, 23and 28, and January 1, 4, 7and 10so it's irresponsible if we do this. We will start with two completely different teams, but, of course, the minutes will be shared a little bit if we can. I always want to play the best team from thefirst until the last minute, but this game demands this from us, so that is why we will do it. "

The demanding calendar outlined by Glasner highlights Palace's challenge. Across league, cups and Europe, the squad is dealing with repeated quick turnarounds, which explains the plan to use two distinct starting line-ups across the KuPS and Leeds fixtures while still managing minutes carefully where possible.

That careful planning comes as Palace deal with important absences. Ismaila Sarr has left to join Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, while Daichi Kamada is unavailable after suffering a hamstring problem during the 3-0 Premier League defeat against Manchester City at the weekend.

Kamada has been one of Palace's most used players this season. Only Jefferson Lerma, Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix have featured more in all competitions, underlining why the Japan international's injury is a concern during such a crowded run of matches.

"It is how it looked, how he walked off the pitch,Glasner confirmed. It's a serious hamstring injury, and he will be out for at least eight to 10 weeks. It doesn't affect the thinking for tomorrow's gamehe won't be backand our focus is completely on the three games within five days. Then we have a bit of time, and then we play Tottenham at home before 2025 ends, so no, it doesn't affect the next couple of days. It's not what we want, but on the other hand, it's part of footballits part of sportsthat so many things can happen. It's not a normal muscle injury, it was just an incident with his landinghe overstretched everything, the full weight on the front, and that's why it happens. He never has muscle injuries. But unfortunately, it's part of our game. "

Key appearance numbers for Crystal Palace this season further show the load carried by regular starters, with Kamada close to the top of the list despite now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The European fixture against KuPS arrives with Palace still chasing consistency in the Conference League. The team have alternated between wins and defeats across their five group games so far, including a 3-0 home success against Shelbourne in their most recent continental outing.

Palace have never recorded successive victories in European competition, yet back-to-back wins would offer the strongest chance of securing automatic progression to the last 16. That target sits alongside domestic priorities as Glasner balances risk, rotation and player welfare during this demanding festive block.

MD-1pic.twitter.com/MJqkLQzZrqCrystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 17, 2025

KuPS travel to Selhurst Park still searching for a first away win in major European competition, having drawn three and lost eight of eleven such matches, and with no goals scored in the most recent four, yet Palace's rotation plans mean Glasner is unlikely to underestimate the visitors.

With Conference League progress, Premier League points and an EFL Cup semi-final spot all in play over five days, Palace enter this spell knowing that protecting players, coping with injuries and handling opponents like KuPS efficiently could shape the rest of their 2025-26 season.