Zrinjski Mostar (Home)
- Zrinjski boss Igor Štimac is an astute coach who knows how to get his players organised, physical and make the most of home-field advantage in European ties.
- The Bosnians are in great shape, having won three and drawn one of their last five matches, thumping 4-0 in the cup last time out and grinding out a 1-0 win at Borac.
- Nemanja Bilbija, who is the most experienced striker and main goal threat in the Conference League and domestic competition, will lead the line again while Mario Ćuže and Igor Savić have been reliable secondary threats.
- Zrinjski have shown they can be solid at home in Europe this season, having won 5-0 and 2-1 in their two previous home games in the league phase of this competition.
Crystal Palace (Away)
- Oliver Glasner’s system-first philosophy has served Palace well in cup competition, although the Austrian’s 3-4-2-1 with wing-backs provides sufficient width for them to play their usual possession-based soccer.
- They’ve got enough quality to break Zrinjski down at some point on Thursday, but it’s also easy to see how this could be a chess match between two organised sides with different approaches.
- Palace’s disciplined, structured pressing and counter-attacking game will face off against a Zrinjski Mostar side that prefer to set up a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and are more direct, preferring to get men behind the ball in numbers and hit counter-attacks.
- Palace have the pace and directness up front through Ismaïla Sarr and Eddie Nketiah, but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fitness will again be a question mark.
- But the Premier League side’s form has been erratic with one win, three losses and a draw in their last five in all competitions.
Head-to-Head
Two solid teams who know how to play their best brand of soccer meet for the first time in this UEFA Europa Conference League knockout playoff.
Key Players
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Palace:
- Michael Olise is their key player, the creator-in-chief with high assist numbers, who can unlock defences with a moment of quality.
- Eberechi Eze, the number ten, is Palace’s most creative forward who can make things happen with his feet and body position.
- Palace have the pace and directness up front through Ismaïla Sarr and Eddie Nketiah, but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fitness will again be a question mark.
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Zrinjski Mostar:
- Nemanja Bilbija, who is the most experienced striker and main goal threat in the Conference League and domestic competition, will lead the line again while Mario Ćuže and Igor Savić have been reliable secondary threats.
Betting Insights
- A win for Palace is the most likely outcome but there may be value in the odds about the hosts.
- Palace are the clear favourites at 1.36, Zrinjski Mostar the massive 9.7 outsiders and the draw in the middle at 4.55.
- The bookies are predicting a low-scoring affair here, with over 2.5 goals at 1.83 and both teams to score at 2.15.
- First leg home side advantage may benefit Zrinjski Mostar more as the wet, windy conditions are less favourable to Palace.
Prediction
- Our preference is to back the draw in the game result market as both teams will most likely respect each other’s defensive shape in the opening half before Palace should come on strong.
- The best chance of a goal could be from a set-piece as Palace use wide play and wing-backs, and Zrinjski like to use their size and physicality to win aerial duels and cause problems from corners and free kicks.
- Palace remain the most likely winners overall, though the hosts' home edge and conditions mean this could be a very tight first leg.
