Crystal Palace remain on course for the Europa League play-offs after earning a point against TSG Hoffenheim in their fourth league-phase fixture.
The result leaves the Eagles with five points from four matches, made up of one victory, two draws and one defeat. Palace are currently 21st in the 36-team standings, with only two points separating them from the top eight and automatic qualification for the round of 16.
They sit just behind their next opponents, Real Sociedad, on goal difference. The Spanish side also drew their latest fixture, being held at home by Olympique Lyonnais. Palace will welcome Real Sociedad to Selhurst Park on 26 November, in a game that could prove significant for both clubs’ qualification prospects.
Should the league phase finish with the standings unchanged, Palace would enter the play-off round as an unseeded team. The top eight will advance directly to the last 16, while the teams placed ninth to 24th will have to negotiate the additional knockout stage. Four matches remain, meaning the competition is now halfway through its opening phase.
Palace’s next league-phase assignment after the Real Sociedad fixture will be away to Jagiellonia Białystok on Thursday, 10 December, with kick-off scheduled for 17:45 GMT.
