AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace: Line-ups, stats and preview
Full preview of Larnaca v Palace in the Conference League
Jorgen Strand Larsen believes Crystal Palace should have been 2-0 up at half-time in the first leg of their Conference League last-16 tie against Larnaca.
The Cypriot side held the Eagles to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park, thwarting Strand Larsen a week after the striker had scored in a 3-1 win at Tottenham in the Premier League.
“We had belief to score in the second half,” said the £48 million signing from Wolves in February. “But we didn’t want to take too much risk because we know that they have quality as well.
“We felt like we deserved to win. Personally, I feel like we’re creating quite a lot. As a striker, that’s bang on what I want. That’s exactly how I want to play.”
Larnaca drew for the fourth time in this season’s Conference League and are unbeaten, having won their other three matches and only conceded once in their campaign.
“We know that it is one of the most important games for AEK and its history – perhaps for Cyprus, as well,” said centre-back Hrvoje Milicevic, via Larnaca’s website.
“We all know what to expect and that [Palace] remain the favourites. We now have a better chance of qualifying than seven days ago.
“It will definitely be difficult to qualify but it is not impossible. We know they are a team from the Premier League, have amazing quality and are favourites to win the Conference League. Let’s focus on our own game and plan.”
Milicevic hopes the AEK Arena, which has a capacity of slightly more than 8,000, will be full.
“This team deserves it,” added the Bosnia and Herzegovina international. “Let them help us. It is important for everyone.”
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AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace team news
Left-back Yahav Gurfinkel, left-winger Youssef Amyn and midfielders Giorgos Naoum and Jimmy Suarez are injured for Larnaca.
Godswill Ekpolo and Milicevic will incur European suspensions if they are booked.
Wideman Daniel Munoz (shoulder), midfielder Cheick Doucoure (knee) and striker Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) are out for Palace.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson will be assessed after missing the 0-0 draw at home to Leeds United on Saturday with a fever.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been building up his minutes from the bench as the talismanic forward continues his return from a knee issue.
AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace predicted line-ups
Larnaca starting XI: Zlatan Alomerovic, Petros Ioannou, Godswill Ekpolo, Hrvoje Milicevic, Enric Saborit, Angel Garcia, Marcus Rohden, Luis Gustavo Ledes, Pere Pons, Djordje Ivanovic, Riad Bajic
Palace starting XI: Dean Henderson, Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Jaydee Canvot, Brennan Johnson, Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell, Ismaila Sarr, Evann Guessand, Jorgen Strand Larsen
Where to watch Larnaca v Palace: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Thursday is at 17:45 GMT (12:45 ET / 09:45 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on TNT Sports 3 and the Discovery Plus app.
TNT Sports costs £30.99 a month, including Eurosport and entertainment and available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
From March 26, TNT Sports streaming will switch from Discovery Plus to HBO Max.
AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace stats
- This is the third meeting between the clubs in this season’s Conference League, both previous encounters taking place in London: Larnaca also won 1-0 on Matchday 2
- That is the only victory ever recorded by a Cypriot club against English opposition in European competition (D4 L18)
- Both clubs are aiming to reach their first European quarter-final
- Larnaca have six clean sheets in this season’s Conference League
- Their only other games against English opposition came in the 2022/23 Conference League round of 16, losing 2-0 at home and 4-0 away to West Ham
- English clubs have won all six previous two‑legged European ties contested between teams from the two countries
- Aside from their matches against Larnaca, Palace have never faced another Cypriot club
- Palace have won their two previous European two-legged ties this season
- They have not scored in more than 225 minutes in all competitions
- The Eagles have clean sheets in four of their last six matches and have conceded more than one goal in only one of their last seven
AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace prediction
Larnaca
Crystal Palace
With the likes of Larsen and Mateta among their ranks, Palace’s pedigree justifies their status as warm favourites for a tricky-looking decider. Larnaca are entitled to have a level of confidence, though, and are ranked 41 places in the coefficient rankings above a Zrinjski side who held Palace at home in the last round.
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