Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction
🔊 What tactical maneuvers will the "Miners" employ to secure a spot in the final? This Thursday, football fans can look forward to the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final between Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk at Selhurst Park. For both teams, triumph in this third-tier European competition would mark a significant milestone in their history. However, the Ukrainians face a much tougher challenge, as a trip to the British Isles is far from an easy task. Bookmakers heavily favor the home side, giving them a fourfold advantage.
Head-to-Head
📊 Last week's head-to-head between Crystal Palace and Shakhtar marked their first-ever encounter. Despite the Ukrainian club's resilience and the players' incredible commitment, the "Miners" couldn't secure a favorable outcome, suffering a 1-3 defeat. Individual brilliance from the players was decisive in determining the winner.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Crystal Palace Team Overview
🔵 This season has been a rollercoaster for the Eagles. The main challenge has been balancing their domestic league commitments with their international fixtures. In the English Premier League, Crystal Palace find themselves in 15th place, essentially playing out the remainder of the season without any major consequences. However, the UEFA Europa Conference League is their top priority-it's a competition where the English club has yet to taste continental success.
🔴 Crystal Palace have navigated a long journey to reach the crucial match that could secure them a spot in the Conference League final. In the playoffs, the Eagles have triumphed over Zrinjski Mostar (1-1, 2-0), AEK Larnaca (0-0, 1-2), and Fiorentina (3-0, 1-2). Let's take a look at their average performance metrics in this season's Conference League-1.5 goals scored per game while conceding 0.7. Ismaila Sarr has been their main attacking force in this tournament, netting 8 goals in 13 appearances.
Match Results: Crystal Palace
Shakhtar Donetsk Team Overview
🟠 Shakhtar are proving to be a formidable force this season, not only in their domestic league but also on the international stage. It's worth noting that the "Miners" haven't reached a European cup final since the 2008/09 campaign, when they triumphed in the UEFA Cup by defeating Werder Bremen (2-1) in the final showdown. Let's take a look at Shakhtar's average performance metrics in the current campaign of Europe's third-tier competition-scoring 1.7 goals per game while conceding 1.2.
⚫ Last weekend, the "Miners" secured a victory in the "Ukrainian Classic," overcoming Dynamo Kyiv (2-1). Now, Shakhtar's triumph in the Premier League seems just a matter of time, as they hold a ten-point lead over their closest rival with four matches left to play. On their way to the Conference League semifinals, the Donetsk side outperformed Lech Poznań (3-1, 1-2) and AZ Alkmaar (3-0, 2-2). Whether the Ukrainians can pull off a sensational run to the tournament final remains to be seen.
Match Results: Shakhtar Donetsk
Latest news
Crystal Palace
❌ The coaching staff of the English team faces several personnel issues. They cannot rely on the contributions of Cheick Doucouré, as the Malian midfielder has been plagued by frequent injuries and has yet to make an appearance this season. Evan Gessen, on loan from Aston Villa, suffered a significant injury back in early April. Lastly, among the unavailable players is English forward Eddie Nketiah, who sustained a thigh injury at the end of December last year.
Shakhtar Donetsk
❌ A significant loss ahead of the return leg could be Brazilian defender Marlon. He sustained a minor injury during the match against Dynamo Kyiv and left the field as early as the 27th minute. Among the players not listed are Viktor Kornienko, Ivan Petryak, and Roman Savchenko.
🟨 Prediction for Yellow Cards
The task of officiating the upcoming match falls to a team of referees led by Spaniard Alejandro Hernandez. Notably, this referee is known for his strictness and firm stance. Over his last ten matches, he has shown an average of 4.6 cautions per game. In 3 out of his last 5 officiated matches, there were at least seven yellow cards. Our editorial choice is total yellow cards over 3.5.
⚽ Prediction for Goals
It's crucial to focus on current statistical trends. In 6 of Crystal Palace's last 7 matches, there have been at least three goals scored. A similar trend is evident in 8 of Shakhtar Donetsk's previous 9 encounters. Both teams are known for their dynamic play and proactive football. We suggest considering the following bet - total over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.8*.
🚩 Prediction for Corners
Both teams handle maintaining defensive compactness quite well. Looking at the average number of corners conceded by each side in this season's Conference League: the Eagles average 3, while the Miners average 3.2. In 6 of Crystal Palace's last 8 matches, there have been no more than 10 corner kicks. It's reasonable to choose the following event - total corners under 9.5 at odds of 1.67*.
🚀 Player Stat Bet
Arguably, the key player for Crystal Palace in this Conference League campaign is Ismaila Sarr. The Senegalese forward consistently troubles his opponents with his speed and excellent technique. His status as the team's top scorer in the tournament underscores the significance of the 28-year-old player. We recommend considering the following event - Ismaila Sarr to score at odds of 2.75*.
😱 Risky Bet
In the first match, the Eagles didn't show overwhelming superiority over their opponent. Moreover, Palace suffered a defeat against Bournemouth (0-3) over the weekend - an away setback that impacted both the team's strength and players' mental state. Meanwhile, Shakhtar possesses a resilient character - Arda Turan's team shouldn't be underestimated. The editorial choice with high risk is - Shakhtar win with a handicap (0) at odds of 4.16*.
🎯 Reliable Bet
The current statistical trends and stylistic features of each team indicate a high likelihood of dynamic developments in the match. The head-to-head encounter a week ago also demonstrated the boldness and determination of both sides. Our editorial team suggests considering the following bet - total over 1.5 goals at odds of 1.27*.
👀 If the Match Goes Off Script
One cannot ignore that this match takes place in England. Selhurst Park is renowned for its atmosphere - the local fans know how to support their favorites. Under these conditions, the Miners might lose concentration and prematurely squander their chances of salvaging the game. Should the visitors fail to exhibit exemplary teamwork, the Eagles will punish them through individual brilliance. In such a case, the editorial choice is - Crystal Palace win at odds of 1.54*.
*Odds are approximate and may vary across different bookmakers.
Editor's Prediction
In the Conference League, the "miners" are showcasing well-organized football, having already secured several high-profile victories. It's too early to count the Ukrainian side out just yet. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace exerted significant effort over the weekend and might fall victim to complacency this coming Thursday. We anticipate a final score of 1-2. The key bet is Shakhtar to win with a +1.5 handicap.
Betting Tips: Crystal Palace - Shakhtar Donetsk
in 5 of last 6 away games (UEFA Europa Conference League).
in 8 of last 9 games (UEFA Europa Conference League).in last 7 home games.
in 25 of last 26 away games.in 8 of last 9 games.in last 6 away games (UEFA Europa Conference League).in 10 of last 11 Crystal Palace games (UEFA Europa Conference League).in 12 of last 13 Shakhtar Donetsk games (UEFA Europa Conference League).in last 6 Shakhtar Donetsk away games (UEFA Europa Conference League).
Comparison of Teams Stats
Other predictions
