Crystal Palace welcome AEK Larnaca to Selhurst Park on Thursday night for the first leg of their Conference League last-16 tie.
The Eagles will be eager to avenge their earlier meeting with the Cypriot side, having suffered a 1-0 defeat at home during the League Phase in what was their first-ever major European match at Selhurst Park.
Despite finishing 10th in the 36-team League Phase table, Crystal Palace remain among the favourites to lift the Conference League trophy this season. Oliver Glasner’s side won three of their six matches during that stage, while also recording one draw and two defeats.
That record meant Palace had to navigate the knockout round play-offs. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Zrinjski Mostar in the first leg, the London club responded strongly in the return fixture, securing a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Their domestic results since then have been mixed. Palace suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Manchester United before bouncing back with an impressive 3-1 win over Tottenham, a result that moved them 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
With Glasner set to leave the club at the end of the season, the Austrian will be hoping to guide Palace to European success before his departure. The former Europa League-winning coach previously lifted the trophy with Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2021-22 campaign.
The Cypriot side arrive in England enjoying an impressive Conference League campaign. AEK Larnaca finished eighth in the League Phase standings after winning three and drawing three of their six matches, securing automatic qualification for the last 16.
Team news for Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca
Crystal Palace have several injury concerns heading into the first leg. Daniel Munoz is unavailable after suffering a shoulder injury in the win over Tottenham.
Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah also remain sidelined, but Glasner confirmed Jean-Phillippe Mateta will be back in the squad for the first time since trying to force a move away from Palace in January.
Nathaniel Clyne is expected to replace Munoz at right wing-back, while Maxence Lacroix could return to the defence after serving a domestic suspension. Chris Richards and Chadi Riad may complete the back three.
Ismaila Sarr will likely continue in attack after scoring twice against Tottenham, while Evann Guessand is among the players competing to start alongside him and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
AEK Larnaca are also dealing with a number of injury absences. Yahav Gurfinkel, Youssef Amyn, Giorgos Naoum and Jimmy Suarez are all unavailable.
Defenders Elohor Ekpolo and Hrvoje Milicevic are both one booking away from suspension but are still expected to start in the defensive line.
Riad Bajic, who scored the winning goal when the two teams met earlier in the competition, is expected to lead the attack once again.
Expected line-ups for Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen
AEK Larnaca: Alomerovic; Ekpolo, Milicevic, Saborit, Roberge, Garcia; Pons, Ledes; Miramon, Bajic, Ivanovic
Where to watch Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca: TV channel, online stream
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on TNT Sports.
Supporters can also stream the game via the Discovery+ platform on mobile devices, tablets and smart TVs.
Kickoff at Selhurst Park is scheduled for 8:00pm GMT on Thursday.
The stats for Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca
- Crystal Palace finished 10th in the Conference League League Phase standings
- The Eagles defeated Zrinjski Mostar 3-1 on aggregate in the playoff round
- AEK Larnaca remain unbeaten in the Conference League this season
- The Cypriot side have kept five clean sheets and conceded only one goal in the competition
- Larnaca beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park earlier in the tournament
Prediction for Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca
Crystal Palace
1
–
0
AEK Larnaca
This tie could prove tight given Larnaca’s previous victory at Selhurst Park earlier in the competition. However, Palace’s improving form and home advantage may allow them to edge the first leg and take a narrow lead into the return fixture.
