Oliver Glasner’s team, who entered the Conference League after dropping out of the Europa League, controlled possession from the outset. Despite their dominance, Palace could not break down a defensive Fredrikstad side, who remained compact and looked to frustrate the hosts throughout the match.
Early in the game, goalkeeper Dean Henderson was called into action after Fredrikstad threatened down the right, but the Palace defense, led by captain Marc Guehi, held firm. In the 14th minute, Guehi had a good chance to open the scoring with a header from a long throw, but his effort went over the bar. Palace continued to probe from wide areas and set pieces, with Fredrikstad vulnerable to long throws and crosses, as noted by former defender Matt Upson.
Fredrikstad, currently eighth in the Norwegian Eliteserien, showed resilience despite having only won seven of their 18 domestic matches this season. Their strategy was clear—sit deep, absorb pressure, and take their chances on the break. The visitors earned a couple of set pieces in the opening stages, but failed to seriously test Henderson.
Notably, Palace played without Eberechi Eze, who was absent amid speculation over a potential transfer to Arsenal. Guehi captained the side and was a key figure in both defense and attack. Other starters included Will Hughes, Adam Wharton, and Jean-Philippe Mateta. The predicted Palace XI lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Sarr, Eze (absent), and Mateta.
The match was broadcast live on Channel 5 in the UK, with extensive coverage and live updates available through outlets such as ESPN and The Telegraph.
Looking ahead, the second leg will take place in Norway, where Fredrikstad will hope to capitalize on home advantage. Palace remain favorites to progress to the group stage, with bookmakers pricing them at 1/11 to win the tie, while Fredrikstad are significant underdogs at 22/1. Despite the lack of goals, Palace’s control suggests they are well-positioned to advance, but Fredrikstad’s disciplined display means the tie is still open ahead of next week’s decider.