Bromley will test their mettle against Premier League side Crystal Palace in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, as the newly-promoted League One club continues preparations for their 2026-27 campaign. The Ravens, who finished 1st in League Two with 87 points (24W-15D-7L) and a +25 goal difference, will face a tough challenge against the Eagles, who are also ramping up for the new season.
What’s at stake for Bromley?
This match offers Bromley a chance to measure themselves against higher-level opposition as they prepare for life in League One. After securing promotion with a 3-1 win over Walsall on May 2, 2026, the Ravens are looking to build momentum ahead of their EFL Cup opener against Reading on August 8. With seven new signings, including Victor Adeboyejo and Shamal George, manager Andy Woodman will be eager to see how his revamped squad fares against Premier League talent.
Crystal Palace’s pre-season plans
Crystal Palace, who finished 15th in the Premier League last season, are using this friendly as part of their build-up to the new campaign. New head coach Pierre Sage, who arrives after a successful stint at Lens, will be looking to fine-tune his squad after a 5-1 win over Swindon Town in their first pre-season match. With key players like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr still unavailable due to World Cup commitments, Sage will likely rotate his squad against Bromley.
Key players to watch
For Bromley, Victor Adeboyejo will be one to watch after scoring his first goal for the club in their 4-1 defeat to West Brom last week. The striker will be looking to build on that performance against Premier League defenders. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Matheus Franca, who scored a hat-trick against Swindon, could be a threat if he starts.
What’s next for Bromley?
After this match, Bromley will face Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Barnet, and Liverpool Under-21s in their remaining pre-season friendlies. Their League One campaign kicks off against Barnsley on August 15, where they’ll aim to carry their strong form from last season (2W-1D-2L in their last five matches) into the new campaign.
