Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk preview: Team news, line-ups, where to watch
Preview, team news, head to head, probable line ups, tactical analysis and where to watch Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk in Thursday’s Conference League semi-final return leg
History beckons at Selhurst Park this Thursday as Crystal Palace host Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League semi-final at 20:00 local time (21:00 CEST). Following a sensational 3-1 first-leg victory in Krakow, the Eagles stand on the precipice of their first-ever European final in their debut continental campaign.
Oliver Glasner’s men hold a commanding aggregate lead thanks to goals from Ismaïla Sarr, Daichi Kamada, and Jørgen Strand Larsen in the reverse fixture.
While Palace come into this following a 3-0 league defeat at Bournemouth, where Glasner rested several stars, they remain heavy favourites to finish the job in South London and secure a place in the final in Leipzig against either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg.
Team News & Injury Updates
Crystal Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaïla Sarr, and Adam Wharton are all set to return to the starting XI after being rested against Bournemouth. Evann Guessand is also back in training and could feature for the first time since his knee injury, but Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucouré remain sidelined.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Arda Turan’s side faces a monumental task and must cope with travel fatigue and defensive injuries, as Yukhym Konoplya and Marlon Santos Barbosa are expected to miss out on Thursday’s clash.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Records
This semi-final marks the first-ever competitive series between the two clubs. Palace’s victory in the first leg is the only meeting on record.
Past meetings:
- 30/04/2026: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Crystal Palace (UECL Semi-final)
Probable line-ups
Tactical analysis: The final step
The battle: Selhurst atmosphere vs Shakhtar’s resilience
Oliver Glasner has warned that the tie is only at half-time, but the intense atmosphere of a night game at Selhurst Park has often inspired the Eagles. Palace will likely look to exploit Shakhtar on the break via the pace of Ismaïla Sarr and Yeremy Pino. For Shakhtar, an early goal is essential; while they have an impressive away record (one defeat in 23), they have never won a competitive match on English soil.
Manager insight
Oliver Glasner has called this the “biggest game in the club’s history,” urging his players to be “brave but smart.” Shakhtar’s Arda Turan remains defiant, noting that his team is full of self-belief and will play with “nothing to lose” despite the physical advantage of the Premier League side.
Where to watch Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2, with streaming available via the discovery+ app. Coverage begins at 19:30 BST for the 20:00 kickoff. In the United States, the game is available on Paramount+ and ViX, with kick-off at 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT.
Market insights & probability
According to current market data, Crystal Palace are the strong favourites on the night with a 61% win probability. Shakhtar Donetsk are valued at an 18% chance for an away upset, while the draw, which would see Palace through, is priced at 21%.
