Crystal Palace welcome HSK Zrinjski Mostar to Selhurst Park on Thursday night with their Europa Conference League tie delicately poised.
After a frustrating 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Eagles know the job is only half done.
This is unfamiliar territory for a club competing in Europe for the first time in its history. However, Palace cannot afford to let this opportunity slip.
Match preview
Palace dominated possession in the first leg and led through Ismaila Sarr just before the break, but a flat start to the second half allowed Zrinjski back into the contest.
The Eagles have won just two of their last 16 matches in all competitions since mid-December.
One of those victories was at Selhurst Park last weekend, a narrow 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers that restored hope.
Sitting 13th in the Premier League and 10 points clear of danger, Oliver Glasner’s side have breathing space. This is Palace’s moment to assert authority.
Zrinjski held firm at home and are still chasing a historic place in the last 16. But their Europa Conference League away record is bleak – six defeats in six games without scoring.
Match stats
Palace have lost just one of their four home matches in this season’s competition.
Both teams have scored in seven of Palace’s 11 matches in 2026, but Zrinjski have failed to score in all six of their Europa Conference League away games.
Palace finished 10th in the league phase with three wins from six. Zrinjski scraped through in 23rd.
The Eagles have shown vulnerability, but they have also shown enough at Selhurst Park to suggest they should edge this contest.
Crystal Palace team news
Cheick Doucoure, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Jefferson Lerma remain sidelined through injury, while Christantus Uche is ineligible.
‘Top-level’ Eddie Nketiah suffered a setback in his recovery and will now be out for longer.
Maxence Lacroix is the key doubt after a groin issue forced him off in the first leg. Glasner confirmed the 25-year-old has trained, but is not entirely comfortable.
If he fails to make it, Chris Richards is expected to anchor the back three alongside Chadi Riad.
Glasner has insisted he will play his strongest available side. Rotation is not on the agenda.
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1)
Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Jaydee Canvot, Chadi Riad; Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell; Brennan Johnson, Ismaila Sarr; Jorgen Strand Larsen.
