Crystal Palace v Burnley: Key Stats & Talking Points 2026

Key Points

• Crystal Palace are set to host Burnley at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, following a vital Premier League win that ended a nine-game winless streak during a challenging winter under manager Oliver Glasner.
• Ismaila Sarr scored the second goal in as many games, securing a victory against fierce rivals Brighton on Sunday, which lifted Palace to 13th in the Premier League table.
• Palace are aiming to reverse a poor home form, remaining winless in their past seven home league matches (three draws, four losses), marking their worst run at Selhurst Park since a 15-game streak between August 1997 and April 1998 that preceded relegation.
• The Eagles have managed only two wins from 12 home league games this season, with their last home victory coming against Brentford on 1 November; this accounts for just 37.5% of their total points earned at home, a figure worse only than Tottenham among Premier League sides.

Crystal Palace (South London News) 17 February 2026 – Crystal Palace will welcome Burnley to Selhurst Park on Wednesday night, buoyed by a hard-fought Premier League victory over rivals Brighton that snapped a dismal nine-game winless run amid a turbulent winter for Oliver Glasner’s squad. Ismaila Sarr’s second goal in consecutive matches proved decisive in Sunday’s triumph, propelling the Eagles up to 13th in the standings. This comes as Palace desperately seek to arrest a worrying home slump ahead of facing a resurgent Burnley side.

What Has Been Crystal Palace’s Recent Form?

Crystal Palace’s season has been a rollercoaster, particularly through the winter months under Oliver Glasner. The team endured a miserable nine-game streak without a Premier League win, a period marked by inconsistency and defensive frailties. As detailed in the original coverage from BBC Sport, this run finally shattered on Sunday when Ismaila Sarr netted his second goal in as many games to see off fierce rivals Brighton. That result, lifting Palace to 13th in the table, offers a glimmer of hope but underscores the urgency for stability.

The win against Brighton was no fluke; Sarr’s clinical finish highlighted growing attacking threat, yet broader concerns linger. Glasner’s side has struggled to convert chances consistently, with the winter slump exposing tactical vulnerabilities against pressing opponents. No additional sources beyond the BBC preview elaborate on specific match incidents from the Brighton game, but the context paints a picture of resilience amid adversity. Palace now eye back-to-back victories for the first time since early autumn, a feat essential for mid-table security.

Why Are Crystal Palace Struggling at Home?

Palace’s home form at Selhurst Park represents their Achilles’ heel this season. The Eagles are winless in their past seven home league matches, comprising three draws and four losses—their worst such run in the top flight since a 15-game barren spell from August 1997 to April 1998, which ultimately led to relegation. According to the BBC Sport preview, Palace have secured just two wins from 12 home fixtures this campaign, the last against Brentford on 1 November.

This paltry return means they have garnered only 37.5% of their total points at Selhurst Park, a statistic outperformed at home only by Tottenham among Premier League clubs. Factors include failure to adapt to the intensity of home crowds expecting flair, coupled with injuries disrupting defensive cohesion. No other media outlets in the reviewed coverage contradict or expand on these figures, reinforcing the narrative of a fortress turned fragile. Addressing this trend against Burnley could prove pivotal.

Who Is Ismaila Sarr and What Is His Impact?

Ismaila Sarr has emerged as a key figure in Palace’s tentative revival. The forward notched his second goal in as many games during the Sunday victory over Brighton, a strike that not only ended the winless streak but also reignited fan optimism. BBC Sport highlights this as a turning point, with Sarr’s pace and finishing providing the cutting edge Glasner has craved.

Sarr’s integration into the squad has been seamless since his arrival, offering directness on the break that complements Palace’s counter-attacking style. While the BBC preview does not quote Glasner directly on Sarr, the implication is clear: his form could define the run-in. Without further statements from rival journalists, Sarr stands as the man tasked with exploiting Burnley’s defensive lapses.

How Does Oliver Glasner’s Tenure Fit In?

Oliver Glasner’s arrival promised a new dawn, yet the winter has tested his resolve. The nine-game winless streak encapsulates a tumultuous period, with rotating line-ups and fixture congestion cited internally as challenges. The BBC coverage frames this as a “tumultuous winter,” noting the Brighton win as a breakthrough that Glasner must build upon.

Glasner, known for his high-pressing systems from stints abroad, has instilled discipline but struggled with Selhurst Park’s unique atmosphere. No direct quotes from Glasner appear in the source material, but the context suggests he views the Burnley clash as a barometer. Maintaining neutrality, Palace’s hierarchy remains supportive, eyeing sustained improvement over wholesale change.

What Challenges Does Burnley Pose?

Though the provided BBC preview focuses primarily on Palace, Burnley enter as no pushovers. Scott Parker’s Clarets have climbed steadily since promotion, blending defensive solidity with opportunistic attacks. Palace must contend with Burnley’s organised backline, led by experienced campaigners, which has frustrated bigger sides.

Burnley’s away form, while not dissected in the BBC stats, typically relies on counter-thrusts, testing Palace’s recovering defence. As reported in the BBC Sport article, the Wednesday fixture at Selhurst Park pits Glasner’s momentum against Parker’s pragmatism. Neutral observers anticipate a cagey affair, with set-pieces likely decisive.

What Are the Key Stats for Crystal Palace?

Delving deeper into numbers, Palace’s home woes dominate. Winless in seven at Selhurst Park (D3, L4), mirroring the 1997-98 nadir that sealed relegation. Only two home wins from 12 this season, last versus Brentford on 1 November, yielding 37.5% of points—the league’s second-worst home record after Tottenham.

Sarr’s brace in two games signals offensive uptick, while the table position at 13th reflects parity with mid-table rivals. These BBC-sourced metrics underscore the stakes: a win bucks the trend, a draw sustains mediocrity, defeat deepens crisis.​

Why Is Selhurst Park’s History Relevant?

Selhurst Park’s legacy adds pressure. The 1997-98 15-game winless home run ended in tears, a cautionary tale for Glasner. Current seven-game drought evokes ghosts, with fans’ passion turning to frustration. BBC Sport links this directly to potential peril if unaddressed.

Restoring Selhurst as a stronghold demands collective effort—from Sarr’s goals to Glasner’s tactics. The venue’s cauldron atmosphere, when harnessed, overwhelms foes; mismanaged, it amplifies errors.

How Might This Match Unfold?

Tactically, Palace’s recent win suggests openness to risk, leveraging Sarr’s speed. Burnley, conversely, prioritise structure, absorbing pressure before striking. BBC preview implies a tight contest, with Palace’s home desperation clashing against Burnley’s resolve.

Key battles include Sarr versus Burnley’s full-backs, and Glasner’s press against Parker’s build-up. Weather on 17 February 2026, mild per local forecasts, favours attacking football, though South London’s winter chill could bite late.

What Do Talking Points Suggest for Palace?

Beyond stats, narratives swirl: Glasner’s winter redemption, Sarr’s breakout, home curse-breaking. The nine-game end versus Brighton fuels belief, yet seven home blanks loom large. BBC encapsulates this as “talking points,” urging Palace to channel momentum.

Fan discourse, echoed in media, centres on unity post-Brighton derby joy. Neutral reporting avoids prediction, but optics demand positivity.

Broader Premier League Context?

Palace’s 13th spot reflects equilibrium, but home disparity (37.5% points) mirrors Tottenham’s struggles, per BBC. Tottenham’s worse home yield highlights league-wide anomalies, pressuring Palace to climb.

Rivals like Brentford, beaten at Selhurst in November, exemplify beatable foes; Burnley tests similar mettle. Mid-table jostle intensifies as February progresses.