Crystal Palace visit Zrinjski Mostar in their Europa Conference League knockout round play-off first leg on Thursday.
The Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw at home by KuPS in their final league phase fixture, missing out on automatic qualification by just two points.
Zrinjski sealed their place in the play-offs after a 1-1 draw with Rapid Vienna.
Match preview
Palace are looking to put their domestic struggles aside as they aim to reach the round of 16.
The Eagles gathered 10 points from six games in the league phase, scoring 11 goals and conceding six.
Palace impressed offensively, ranking second for big chances created, third for total shots per game and fourth for goals scored.
Oliver Glasner’s side have won two and lost one on the road, underlining their strong away record in the competition.
Zrinjski have not lost at home in the competition and have won both of their home games in 2026.
The Bosnia-Herzegovinian outfit picked up seven points in six games in the league phase, scoring eight goals and conceding 10.
Zrinjski lost 3-0 to title rivals Borac Banja Luka last weekend, but will be optimistic of getting a result here given Palace’s own struggles.
Team news
Palace will be without Jean-Philippe Mateta, Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah. Christantus Uche has been omitted from their updated Europa Conference League squad.
Toni Sunjic and Slobodan Jakovljevic are sidelined for the hosts, while Neven Durasek returns from suspension.
Predicted line-ups
Zrinjski (4-2-3-1): Goran Karacic, Marko Vranjkovic, Hrvoje Barisic, Duje Dujmovic, Petar Mamic, Igor Savic, Neven Djurasek, Mario Cuze, Antonio Ivancic, Leo Mikic, Toni Majic.
Palace (3-4-2-1): Dean Henderson, Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Jefferson Lerma, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Borna Sosa, Daniel Munoz, Brennan Johnson, Yeremy Pino, Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Prediction
We predict a 2-1 win for Palace.
Stats from sofascore.com.
