Crystal Palace predicted XI vs AEK Larnaca: Eagles seek revenge and a place in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals | OneFootball

Crystal Palace host AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park on Thursday night in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League last-16 tie.

The Eagles continue their historic European adventure in London and are seeking revenge after losing to the Cypriot club earlier in the competition.

Palace head into the tie in decent spirits after a comprehensive 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, a result that moved them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Palace have navigated their first-ever campaign in a major European competition well, despite a few bumps along the way.

The Eagles finished 10th in the 36-team group stage before navigating the knockout round play-offs.

After a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Zrinjski Mostar, goals from Maxence Lacroix and Evann Guessand sealed a 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park to send Palace into the last 16.

Oliver Glasner’s side have been strong at home in Europe, with three wins from five matches at Selhurst Park in the competition.

However, Larnaca are unbeaten in the Europa Conference League this season.

They boast the best defensive record in the competition, conceding just once across the league phase.

That defensive resilience will pose a challenge for Palace, but the Eagles will back their attacking depth to break through on home soil.

Match stats

Crystal Palace have won three of their five Europa Conference League home games this season.

The Eagles progressed past Zrinjski Mostar 3-1 on aggregate in the knockout round play-offs.

However, AEK Larnaca are one of only three teams unbeaten in this season’s competition.

The Cypriot side conceded just one goal in the league phase and kept five clean sheets.

Palace lost 1-0 to Larnaca earlier in the competition in their first European match at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace team news

Maxence Lacroix is back available after serving a one-match suspension, while Jeff Lerma is also fit after recently returning to the squad following a short injury absence.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has resumed training after missing several weeks with a knee injury and will be in the matchday squad.

However, Glasner has confirmed the 28-year-old striker is not yet ready to play a full game.

Daniel Munoz will miss the match after suffering a shoulder injury in the win over Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.

Nathaniel Clyne, who has been described as a ‘great player’ by Glasner, is expected to step in at right wing-back.

Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1)

Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Chadi Riad; Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell; Ismaila Sarr, Evann Guessand; Jorgen Strand Larsen.