Shelbourne v Crystal Palace: Line-ups, stats and preview

Shelbourne v Crystal Palace preview

Crystal Palace enter their penultimate Europa Conference League league phase fixture looking to strengthen their position in the race for last-16 qualification.

The Eagles arrive in Dublin after two Premier League away wins over Burnley and Fulham, the latter secured by an 87th-minute header from Marc Guehi that lifted Oliver Glasner’s side to fourth in the table and delivered their best return after 15 matches of a top-flight season.

Palace have alternated between wins and losses in Europe so far, leaving them 18th in the 36-team standings but only two points adrift of the top eight with Shelbourne and KuPS still to play.

Their most recent European outing brought a 2-1 defeat to Strasbourg, in which Palace created chances but failed to take advantage, striking the post twice before conceding late.

Shelbourne, meanwhile, have endured a difficult first appearance in the Conference League group stage. After becoming only the second Irish side to reach this stage of a UEFA competition, they remain winless across the opening four matchdays and are yet to score a goal.

A goalless draw with BK Hacken was followed by defeats to Shkendija, Drita and AZ Alkmaar. Joey O’Brien’s team sit 34th in the overall table and remain four points outside the playoff positions.

Shelbourne v Crystal Palace team news

Shelbourne welcome back Liverpool loanee James Norris after suspension, with the defender expected to contend for a place in a five-man back line.

Jack Henry-Francis should retain his midfield role alongside JJ Lunney and Kerr McInroy. Joey O’Brien must decide whether Mipo Odubeko or John Martin partners Harry Wood in the forward positions.

Crystal Palace remain without Daniel Munoz, who continues his recovery from a knee issue. Ismaila Sarr is unavailable due to an ankle injury ahead of his Africa Cup of Nations duties, while Cheick Doucoure, Caleb Kporha, Rio Cardines and Chadi Riad are also ruled out.

Glasner is expected to rotate, with Jaydee Canvot, Borna Sosa, Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma and Justin Devenny likely candidates to return to the starting team.

Shelbourne v Crystal Palace predicted lineups

Shelbourne: Speel; Mbeng, Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris, Kelly; Henry-Francis, Lunney, McInroy; Wood, Odubeko

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa; Devenny, Pino; Nketiah

How to watch Shelbourne v Crystal Palace: TV channel, online live streams

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 2 and the discovery+ app.

TNT Sports costs £29.99 a month through discovery+, which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Shelbourne v Crystal Palace stats

• There had been 173 goals in this season’s Conference League before Thursday’s matches, with fans most likely to see the ball hit the back of the net during the 15 minutes immediately after half-time (33 goals)
• Including qualifying, Shelbourne have played 69 European matches
• Shelbourne have never previously faced an English team but have faced Scottish clubs Kilmarnock and Rangers in the Cup Winners’ Cup, as well as the Gers in the UEFA Cup preliminary round and first qualifying during the early 1960s
• Manager Joey O’Brien came through Bolton Wanderers’ academy and spent more than 10 years in the Premier League and Championship as a defender and midfielder for the club and West Ham
• Forward Mipo Odubeko, 23, was at Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham and had loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale
• Only four clubs in this season’s league phase have had more attempts at goal than Palace (65)
• Shakhtar (21) are the only side to have had more attempts blocked than the Eagles (20)
• Three players have had more attempts blocked than Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta (4)
• Only Strasbourg’s Martial Godo (3) has more assists than Palace’s Yeremy Pino (2) in this season’s competition
• Palace have won four successive domestic away matches either side of their 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg last time out in the Conference League

Shelbourne v Crystal Palace prediction

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