Crystal Palace unbeaten in 17 and signs suggest this is just the beginning | OneFootball

Crystal Palace’s Unbeaten Streak Signals a New Era

Credit must go to Opta Analyst for highlighting the extraordinary story currently unfolding at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, are not only building on FA Cup glory from last season but are also shaping a narrative of consistency and resilience that feels unlike anything the club has known in the Premier League era.

Unbeaten Run Extending Beyond Expectation

Palace’s run of 17 games without defeat stretches back to the end of last season and could equal a club record should they avoid defeat against Liverpool. As Opta put it, “Palace have played nine games this season without suffering defeat, meaning they have now gone 17 games unbeaten in all competitions.”

This run includes victories in Europe, progression in the EFL Cup and an early foothold in the top five of the Premier League table. The momentum is undeniable. Yet what makes the story even richer is the data suggesting Palace deserve to be further up the table. Opta’s expected points model indicated they “should really be top of the league” after five matches.

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Defence Forming the Foundation

Much of the success lies in the defensive set-up. With Marc Guéhi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards forming a disciplined back three, Palace have produced “11 clean sheets in the 19 Premier League games that trio have started in a back three together.” Even when speculation surrounded Guéhi’s future, Glasner’s side proved they could function as more than just the sum of their parts.

Opta Analyst also highlighted their underlying numbers in open play, conceding just 1.7 xG across five games, an average of 0.3 xG per match. That statistic alone underscores why Palace are competing with the best defensive units in the league.

Attack With Control and Purpose

Although their possession figures appear modest, Palace’s approach is far from one-dimensional. Their quick vertical transitions often lead to dangerous positions, but once in the final third they demonstrate patience. As the original analysis noted, “They consistently find their way into dangerous positions by attacking up the pitch at pace, but they don’t rush things once they get there.”

Crosses have been a primary weapon, with every non-penalty Premier League goal this season stemming from one. With strong set-piece metrics as well, Glasner’s men are maximising efficiency, blending organisation with opportunism.

Building Towards Something Greater

Palace’s record since January shows them fourth in points collected, behind only Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. It is not fanciful to suggest that European football could become the norm rather than a fleeting adventure.

The Eagles’ total of 59 points from their last 38 games puts them on the brink of surpassing Alan Pardew’s record haul in the Premier League. As the report reminds us, “In three of the past four seasons, 63 points was enough to come sixth.” That would mark Palace’s highest finish in the modern era, and with their current form, this is a milestone within reach.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Crystal Palace supporter’s perspective, this report is thrilling. For years, Palace fans have been told to simply enjoy survival or occasional cup runs, yet now the club feels like it is breaking into a new tier. The unbeaten run has not been built on luck, but on smart organisation, tactical clarity and players buying into Glasner’s philosophy.

The defensive trio of Guéhi, Lacroix and Richards has given the team a backbone, something Palace sides of the past often lacked. Add to this the mid-block strategy, where the team chooses intelligence over chaos, and it feels like Palace are no longer punching above their weight but showing they belong.

Supporters will also delight in how Glasner has made the side effective without Eberechi Eze. Losing such a star could have derailed previous Palace teams, but this one seems even more collective and united. The attacking output through crosses and set-pieces resonates with fans, who love seeing hard work and directness rewarded with goals.

To see Opta’s model place Palace as deserving of top spot after five games is validation for supporters who always believed the club had untapped potential. Many will already be dreaming of Europe beyond the Conference League, of pushing into the Europa League or perhaps even the Champions League places.

Palace are not only creating history, they are changing expectations. The famous Selhurst Park roar feels justified now more than ever, and fans will back this team to push boundaries few thought possible.