Crystal Palace predicted XI vs Zrinjski: Eagles look to finish the job at Selhurst Park | OneFootball

Crystal Palace welcome HSK Zrinjski Mostar to Selhurst Park on Thursday night with their Conference League tie delicately poised.

After a frustrating 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Eagles know the job is only half done.

For a club competing in Europe for the first time in its history, this is unfamiliar territory, and the pressure is real. But Crystal Palace cannot afford to let this opportunity slip.

Match preview

Palace dominated possession in the first leg and led through Ismaila Sarr just before the break, but a flat start to the second half allowed Zrinjski back into the contest.

Since mid-December, the Eagles have won just two of their last 16 matches in all competitions.

However, one of those victories came at Selhurst Park last weekend, a narrow 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers that restored hope.

Sitting 13th in the Premier League and 10 points clear of danger, Oliver Glasner’s side has breathing room. This is Palace’s moment to assert authority.

Zrinjski will arrive believing. They held firm at home and are still chasing a historic place in the last 16.

But their Conference League away record is bleak, six defeats from six without scoring.

Match stats

Palace have lost just one of their four home matches in this season’s Conference League.

Both teams have scored in seven of Palace’s 11 matches in 2026, but Zrinjski have failed to score in all six of their Conference League away games.

Palace finished 10th in the League Phase with three wins from six. Zrinjski scraped through in 23rd.

The Eagles have shown vulnerability, but they have also shown enough at Selhurst Park to suggest they should edge this.

Crystal Palace team news

Cheick Doucoure, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Jefferson Lerma remain sidelined through injury, while Christantus Uche is ineligible.

‘Top-level’ Eddie Nketiah suffered a setback in his recovery and will now be out for longer.

Maxence Lacroix, 25, is the key doubt after a groin issue forced him off in the first leg. Glasner confirmed he has trained but is not entirely comfortable.

If he fails to make it, Chris Richards is expected to anchor the back three alongside Chadi Riad.

Glasner has insisted he will play his strongest available side. Rotation is not on the agenda.

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

Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Jaydee Canvot, Chadi Riad; Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell; Brennan Johnson, Ismaila Sarr; Jorgen Strand Larsen.