In the first half of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Crystal Palace’s form was positive in both Europe and in the Premier League, with frequent wins. However, at the time of writing, Crystal Palace’s last league victory was on December 7, and a historic FA Cup loss to Macclesfield marked the current negativity regarding Crystal Palace’s form.
Crystal Palace’s Form On Display Against Macclesfield
On Saturday, January 10, in the early FA Cup kick-off, Crystal Palace travelled to Macclesfield, who currently compete in the National League North. This fixture proved to be one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in history, with the biggest gap in between teams in the football pyramid where the lowest ranked team have been victorious ever.
Many have noted that Crystal Palace’s form was on display in this match, as, although the home side won by a slender margin, some have suggested that their victory was fully deserved. Although most did not start, Oliver Glasner utilised experienced Premier League players, including Will Hughes.
Furthermore, England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton started the fixture. However, Crystal Palace’s form currently has many players devoid of confidence and tired by the fixture schedule, thus leading to a tame performance against the Silkmen.
Victory for Macclesfield also incorporated an element of emotion within a spirited display, following the recent passing of 21-year-old striker Ethan McLeod, who was killed in a car accident.
Crystal Palace’s form hit a new low in this fixture, with manager Oliver Glasner indicating that they “lacked everything” in their performance.
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Why Are the Eagles Struggling?
After going for such a long period of time without victory, many are wondering what has happened to Crystal Palace’s form, after such a strong start in both the league and European football.
A point of contention in relation to Crystal Palace’s form relates to recruitment. Oliver Glasner has previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the club’s summer recruitment, indicating that it has left him with limited squad numbers.
However, Glasner has also underutilised some of the players that he has in his squad, providing another potential reason for Crystal Palace’s form. The Crystal Palace manager appears to be unhappy with the likes of Borna Sosa, giving those players limited gametime and increasing the workload on the likes of Tyrick Mitchell.
The two factors highlighted above lead into another factor for Crystal Palace’s form. Some players, including Jean Phillippe-Mateta, are currently not setting the standards expected of them. Mateta himself, has missed a number of chances that some may argue he would have scored previously.
Furthermore, Crystal Palace’s form, like that of AFC Bournemouth, may be in part due to a lack of clarity over the future of manager Oliver Glasner, with some clubs circulating in a bid to acquire his services and Glasner’s current reluctance to sign a new contract.
With games against Wolves, Burnley and Nottingham Forest on the horizon, fans will be hoping that Crystal Palace’s form takes a positive turn. Should results continue to not improve, there may be a further inquest into how they may improve.
Crystal Palace’s form may also be improved in the coming weeks due to the January transfer window. Following the addition of Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson, the club may make further additions to strengthen their side.
Fans of the Eagles are currently wholly dissatisfied with the current form and rightly so, with the Eagles having quality within their ranks yet not producing on the pitch. The next few weeks appear to be pivotal for the side to produce a turnaround in form, and fans will be hoping they do so in a bid to climb the table.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 07.01.2026
