Crystal Palace face TSG Hoffenheim on matchday 4 of the Europa League. The Sinsheim club arrive on the back of inconsistent domestic form, losing to Werder Bremen before their cup exit to Holstein Kiel. Hoffenheim's European campaign has been more positive, ending a two-game losing streak with a win over Lyon, though they remain without a knockout stage qualification and have lost all five previous meetings with English opponents.
Hoffenheim manager Christian Ilzer is without Vladimir Coufal (muscular injury), Nathan De Cat, Bambase Conte, Robin Hranac, Valentin Gendrey, Patrick Wimmer and Albian Hajdari. Alexander Prass returns after suspension, while Andrej Kramaric was involved in all three goals against Lyon and remains a central attacking threat.
Crystal Palace have never faced a German club competitively but lost 3-0 to Freiburg in pre-season. Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta received a red card in Palace's recent 2-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham and will look to bounce back. Daichi Kamada and Chris Richards, both former Hoffenheim players, are expected to feature for the hosts, while Jorgen Strand Larsen and Quinten Timber are undergoing late fitness assessments.
