Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar preview
Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner hopes his players will find a “better balance” and allow Zrinjski fewer transitions when the sides meet again at Selhurst Park following a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Conference League knockout phase play-off last Thursday.
Palace are huge favourites despite being held in Mostar, where Ismaila Sarr gave them a first-half lead before Karlo Abramovic’s second-half equaliser.
“We need more runs in behind to threaten them, even when it looks like there is not a lot of space,” said Glasner.
“Even 10 or 15 yards is enough to ask for the ball in behind. Then we’ll get the ball around their box and see if we can score goals, create chances and get set-plays.
“I want to take the pressure away from the players, because it looks like sometimes they want it too much.
Precision from Ismaïla Sarr 🎯#UECL | @CPFC pic.twitter.com/KOaSSEY3j3
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) February 25, 2026
“We showed the players a clip with seven players in the attacking box and just three centre-backs outside.
“It was taking too much risk but it is because the players want to score, break the deep block and take responsibility.”
Zrinjski’s Leo Mikic called the opening result a “really big one”. “We’ll only fully realise later what we’ve achieved – especially those of us playing these kind of matches for the first time,” the forward added, via UEFA.
“We’ll show heart again in the second leg. There will be a better pitch and an even better atmosphere, but we have every right to hope.”
Manager Igor Stimac felt Zrinjski should have converted “clear chances” to win the game. “We have to keep working,” he said.
“There’s no need to be afraid. I was even hoping for a win, though some might call that over-confident. I know what my players are capable of.”
The winners will face Mainz or Larnaca in the last 16. Check out the full Conference League bracket.
Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar team news
Maxence Lacroix is a doubt with an adductor injury that forced the Palace defender off during the first leg.
Glasner does not expect Eddie Nketiah to feature until April after the forward suffered a setback in his comeback from a hamstring problem.
Defender or midfielder Jefferson Lerma has the same issue but is likely to return far sooner. Midfielder Cheick Doucoure and forward Jean-Philippe Mateta have knee injuries.
Centre-back Toni Sunjic (knee) and midfielder Stefano Surdanovic (leg) are expected to be out for Zrinjski, with forward Mato Sakota a doubt and right-back Marko Vranjkovic suspended.
Former Bosnia and Herzegovina attacking midfielder Adi Nalic was an unused substitute in the first leg, but the January signing has been featuring regularly and is in contention to start after building up his fitness.
Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar predicted lineups
Crystal Palace starting XI: Dean Henderson, Daniel Munoz, Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Chadi Riad, Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Ismaila Sarr, Brennan Johnson, Jorgen Strand Larsen
Zrinjski Mostar starting XI: Goran Karacic, Marko Vranjkovic, Hrvoje Barisic, Duje Dujmovic, Igor Savic, Petar Mamic, Karlo Abramovic, Neven Djurasek, Antonio Ivancic, Leo Mikic, Mario Cuze
How to watch Palace v Zrinjski: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Thursday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on TNT Sports 3 and the Discovery Plus app.
TNT Sports costs £29.99 a month through Discovery Plus, which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar stats
- The first leg was Palace’s first meeting with a team from Bosnia and Herzegovina
- The Eagles have had the most attempts (118) of any team in the 2025/26 Conference League
- Only Alkmaar (42) have had more corners than Palace (41), who have also been adjudged offside most often (21)
- Ismaila Sarr’s three goals make him the joint-fourth top scorer in this season’s competition
- Palace’s 1-0 win over Wolves on Sunday was their first home victory since they beat Alkmaar 3-1 on November 6, spanning nine matches in all competitions
- Zrinjski have faced a side from England before, losing 1-0 at Aston Villa in the 2023/24 UEFA Conference League group stage and drawing 1–1 with the Villans in Mostar
- No team still involved has conceded more goals than Zrinjski (11)
- The Nobles’ nine titles make them the most successful team in the history of their domestic Premier League, although they are currently six points behind leaders Borac after 22 matches
- Manager Igor Stimac played for Derby County throughout their meetings with Palace during the 1997/98 Premier League season, participating in a 0-0 home draw and 3-1 away defeat
- Centre-back Stimac represented the Rams between 1995 and 1999, then moved to West Ham until 2001
- Now 58, he won 53 Croatia caps – helping his country finish third at the 1998 FIFA World Cup – and had three spells with Hajduk Split, as well as playing for Cadiz between 1992 and 1994
