Crystal Palace need a result, simple as that. Pierre Sage is still in the job, which tells you the club have not pulled the trigger yet, but the pressure has not gone away. One win in six across all competitions is poor by any measure, and Hoffenheim arrive in better shape.
The defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on 31 October brought more heat, even if Jean-Philippe Mateta's early red card changed the complexion of the game. That dismissal may have bought Sage a little time. It should not, however, trigger a wave of panic changes up front. If anything, Mateta deserves to stay involved, while Jorgen Strand-Larsen could be preserved with the Premier League in mind.
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Sage needs energy, discipline and players who can actually influence a European tie. Right now, too many are offering neither. Three changes look obvious.
Oscar Mingueza has had a rough start at Selhurst Park and the last outing did nothing to help his case. He was booked, substituted on the hour mark, won only 33 per cent of his ground duels, committed four fouls and was dribbled past three times. For a full-back, that is a catalogue of problems. He should be left out.
Dwight McNeil is another who has not done enough. Palace are still waiting for him to make an impact and there is not much evidence it is coming soon. Against Spurs he had 24 touches in 77 minutes, managed one shot, was dribbled past twice, won 50 per cent of his ground duels and 12 per cent of his aerial duels, and made only one line-breaking pass. That is a passenger, not a threat.
Yeremi Pino also looks vulnerable. Palace had to dig in after the red card, but he offered very little. No chances created, no shots, dispossessed four times. That is not enough in any system, let alone one under strain.
Eddie Nketiah, Dário Osório and Evann Guessand are available alternatives. None are guaranteed answers, but at least they offer a reason to change the picture. Sage needs players willing to empty the tank, not drift through another flat performance.
Predicted XI: Henderson, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Wharton, Eze, Osório, Nketiah, Mateta.
On current form, Palace do not need cosmetic tweaks. They need a response. Against Hoffenheim, anything less will keep the manager under the spotlight.
