Match preview

For Crystal Palace, the Conference League has effectively become the priority as the season winds down. With little pressure remaining in the Premier League, Oliver Glasner has been able to rotate his squad carefully and focus on Europe. Although the Eagles conceded three goals in recent domestic defeats to Liverpool and Bournemouth, their performances in continental competition have been far more convincing, including an emphatic 3-0 win over Fiorentina and a strong 3-1 first-leg victory over Shakhtar.

Palace are expected to restore several regular starters for the return leg after rotating in league action. The returns of Richards, Mitchell, Wharton, Sarr, and Mateta significantly strengthen the side, while their tactical setup looks ideal for this matchup. Crystal Palace are comfortable allowing opponents more possession before striking quickly in transition — an approach that caused Shakhtar major problems in the first meeting. The hosts are also unbeaten in their last seven home matches, conceding only once during that stretch.

Shakhtar Donetsk, meanwhile, responded to their first-leg disappointment with an important 2-1 victory over Dynamo Kyiv, a result that virtually secured the domestic title and allowed Arda Turan to fully shift attention toward Europe.

The Ukrainian side’s biggest challenge remains finding the right balance between attacking control and defensive stability. Shakhtar dominated possession in the first leg with 71% of the ball, yet Palace proved far more efficient in transition and open spaces. Defensively, the warning signs are clear: Shakhtar have conceded in six of their last seven matches and continue to look vulnerable when caught high up the pitch.

Probable lineups

Crystal Palace: Henderson, Clyne, Lacroix, Richards, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Munoz, Pino, Sarr, Mateta.

Shakhtar: Riznyk, Bondar, Matviyenko, Tobias, Pedrinho, Gomez, Ocheretko, Santana, Eguinaldo, Elias.

Match facts and head-to-head

Crystal Palace won the first leg 3-1 and carry a solid advantage into the return match in London.

Over 2.5 goals have been scored in seven of Palace’s last eight games and in nine of Shakhtar’s last ten matches.

Shakhtar have conceded in six of their previous seven outings, including three goals in the first semi-final.

Shakhtar have covered a +1 handicap in their last six away Conference League matches in regulation time.

The Ukrainian side have scored in each of their last six away matches in the Conference League.

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