Crystal Palace’s home fixture against Burnley will commence 10 minutes later than originally scheduled due to traffic congestion in the area. The announcement came via the club’s social media channels just under an hour before the match was set to kick off.
“Please be advised that tonight’s kick-off has been delayed until 19:40 due to heavy traffic in the local area,” the club tweeted. The delay was prompted as Burnley found themselves stuck in traffic for 25 minutes while attempting to reach Selhurst Park, despite being accommodated at a nearby hotel. Although the specific reason for the increased traffic has not been disclosed, fans have expressed concerns about the viability of early evening kick-offs at this venue, suggesting that such timings create logistical challenges.
Originally, the match was set to start at 19:30, coinciding with several other fixtures, including Nottingham Forest versus Wolves and Aston Villa against Brighton. Meanwhile, Manchester City will also face Fulham at the same time, while Sunderland and Liverpool are scheduled to kick off later at 20:15.
Crystal Palace currently holds the 13th position in the Premier League, standing seven points shy of a European competition spot and eight points clear of the relegation zone. In a notable change for the home side, two players—Jorgen Strand Larsen and Evann Guessand—will make their home debuts in the match. Additionally, Daichi Kamada is set to achieve his 50th Premier League appearance.
Palace’s recent form has seen them struggle, with a record of eight games without a win before their recent victory over Brighton in a local derby. Prior to that win, they had also faced elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Macclesfield, highlighting their challenging season. However, the eagerness surrounding the debuts of new players and the potential for a positive turn in momentum may foster a sense of hope among the Palace faithful.