Crystal Palace will take on Middlesbrough in the third round of the League Cup on September 9, 2026, at 01:45. This match comes on the heels of a significant morale boost for Crystal Palace, who recently secured their first win of the season in the Premier League, defeating Fulham 3-2. Tyrick Mitchell's standout performance, including a goal, has given the team confidence as they prepare for this upcoming clash.

Playing at home in Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace has a strong record against Middlesbrough, having won five out of their last six encounters at this venue. The last time these two teams met at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace emerged victorious with a 1-0 win in February 2017. This historical advantage is crucial as they look to progress in the League Cup.

Middlesbrough, currently competing in the EFL Championship, has shown good form recently, with only one loss in their last seven matches, alongside five wins and one draw. Despite their solid performance, they still face a tough challenge against a Premier League side like Crystal Palace, who will be eager to capitalize on their home ground.

In terms of team news, Crystal Palace will be without three players due to injuries: Jean-Philippe Mateta, Chadi Riad, and Ismaila Sarr. On the other hand, Middlesbrough has no significant injury concerns, which could play a role in their performance.

The expected line-ups for the match are as follows:

• Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Disasi, Canvot; Khalaili, Timber, Wharton, Mitchell; Kamada, Pino; Nketiah
• Middlesbrough (3-4-2-1): Vitek; Phillips, Malanda, Neto; Brittain, Berhalter, Morris, Arfsten; McGree, Joseph; Lankshear

Statistically, recent encounters between these two teams have often seen low-scoring first halves, with nine out of ten meetings featuring a maximum of one goal in the first half. This trend is also reflected in Crystal Palace's recent matches. The prediction for this match leans towards a narrow victory for Crystal Palace, potentially ending with a score of 2-1.