Crystal Palace head to Krakow to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final tomorrow night.
The Eagles face Shakhtar on neutral territory due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia with both teams seeking a place in the final against either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg in Leipzig on May 27.
For the Eagles, this is uncharted territory. A first European semi-final in the club’s history after a campaign that started by beating Fredrikstad in the qualifers and, against all early-season expectations, has now delivered them within 180 minutes of a major final.
Palace’s run reads like a slow-burn thriller. After a wobbly league phase that forced them to beat Zrinjski in the play-offs, an extra-time scrap with AEK Larnaca dragged them into the quarter-finals, where they produced their performance of the season — a 3-0 first-leg dismantling of Fiorentina at Selhurst Park. That proved just enough of a cushion to survive a 2-1 reverse in Florence and progress 4-2 on aggregate.
Shakhtar’s path has been more emphatic. Arda Turan’s side secured a top-eight finish in the league phase and brushed aside Lech Poznan and AZ Alkmaar to reach this stage.
Shakhtar have few pressures domestically either, the weekend win at Kudrivka meaning they are eight points clear at the league summit with five games remaining and firmly on course to win the title.
That they now face Palace will come as no surprise to former Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Turkey playmaker Turan, who forecast they would meet before Christmas.
He said: “Crystal Palace are a Premier League team with great potential. I went to the Crystal Palace stadium in December to watch a game. I had a dream [that I would be facing them this season], and some of my friends laughed at this. Now I will make fun of them!”
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Team news for Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace
Palace are without three first-team players: Evann Guessand (knee), Eddie Nketiah (thigh) and Cheick Doucouré (muscle) are all sidelined, while Tyrick Mitchell faces a late fitness test on the Achilles problem that has bothered him in recent weeks. If Mitchell drops out, Borna Sosa will deputise at left-back.
Shakhtar, meanwhile, head into the tie with a fully fit squad.
Predicted line-ups for Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace
Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk; Tobías, Bondar, Matviyenko, Pedro Henrique; Marlon Gomes, Ocheretko, Pedrinho; Alisson Santana, Kauã Elias, Eguinaldo
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Muñoz, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Sarr, Pino; Strand Larsen
Where to watch Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace: TV and online streams
Shakhtar Donetsk versus Crystal Palace kicks off at 8pm UK time on Thursday night. It is available on TNT Sports in the UK and available to stream via the discovery+ app.
It is available via local Conference League rights holders in other countries, including the United States.
Stats for Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace
- Shakhtar Donetsk have lost just one of their last 13 games in all competitions
- Shakhtar Donetsk are two-time Europa League semi-finalists and won the UEFA Cup in 2009
- This the teams’ first meeting
- Shakhtar Donetsk have lost the first leg in only one of their last 29 European ties
- Shakhtar Donetsk have won only five of their 19 contests with English opponents (D4 L10), and none of the last five
- Crystal Palace’s sole previous match against a Ukrainian team was their 2-0 win against Dynamo Kiev on Matchday 1 of this season’s league phase.
Prediction for Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace
This is a nasty tie for Palace, although they will undoubtedly be helped by the ‘away’ leg being played on neutral territory.
Shakhtar have a heavy Brazilian influence and if their South American contingent fire then this could be a difficult night for the Eagles.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 Crystal Palace
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