PREVIEW: Crystal Palace on verge of history in Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Crystal Palace look to claim a maiden European title at the first time of asking in the Europa Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano as Oliver Glasner bids farewell as the club’s manager.

In the Austrian’s final game in charge of the Eagles, Glasner has yet another chance to embed himself into Palace folklore over a year on from lifting the FA Cup, by doubling their haul of major trophies at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena.

The London side were removed from this year’s Europa League due to American businessman John Textor’s stake in French side Lyon breaching UEFA’ rules against multi-club ownership, but will feature next season with a historic victory tonight.

Yet the stakes are just as high for the Spanish side, who have also never won a major trophy, and present a tough challenge for Palace to overcome having recorded consecutive eighth place finishes in La Liga under Iñigo Pérez.

It’s been a rollercoaster season at Selhurst Park, with Manchester City defender Marc Guéhi tipped to leave for Liverpool in the summer only for the deal to collapse before the former captain and Glasner confirmed their departures at the end of the season.

Striker Jean Philip-Mateta has remained at the club since his failed medical prevented a move to Italian giants AC Milan in the same transfer window, yet Palace ultimately ended the campaign 15th in the Premier League.

But the drama will not be of any significance in comparison to a first ever continental triumph, which will provide Glasner and any players who choose to follow him out of the club with the perfect sendoff.

Palace will be without striker Eddie Nketiah, who is still recovering from surgery on his hamstring, while American international Chris Richards has been training following an ankle ligament injury and will be subject to a late assessment.

Full-back Borna Sosa is also just as likely to feature as he is to miss out, according to Glasner.

Jorge De Frutos and Isi Palazon will likely be instrumental in Vallecano’s own bid for a first European trophy, who bested Turkish side Samsunspor, Greek giants AEK Athens and Strasbourg to book their place in the final.

Palace had to do things the hard way, however, finishing 10th in the group stage with just three wins from six, beating Bosnian side Zrinjski in the play-offs before seeing off AEK Larneca, Fiorentina and Shaktar Donetsk.

Vallecano could be without defender Luiz Felipe, who is still recovering from a muscle injury, as well as young winger Ilias Akhomach, both standout performers over the course of the season.

Winger Carlos Martin was taken off before half-time during the side’s final game of the season and is a major doubt for the final.

Wednesday is a chance for both sides to make further history for their respective clubs, sealing not only a first European trophy but also qualification into next season’s Europa League – a competition where Palace fans feel they truly belong.