In what will be their first-ever home fixture in the main draw of a major European competition, Crystal Palace welcome Cypriot side AEK Larnaca to Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.
Both sides head into this Europa League encounter looking to extend their perfect start to the campaign after recording wins on the opening matchday. Oliver Glasner’s men were 2-0 victors away to Dynamo Kyiv, while the visitors stunned AZ Alkmaar with a 4-0 triumph in Cyprus.
The Eagles approach this contest following an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League, while AEK come into this fixture on a high after defeating Paralimni 2-0 in domestic action over the weekend.
Read our Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca predictions and preview below, and remember to check our other Conference League betting tips for further insights.
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Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca predictions: Hosts to reign supreme
Key stats:
- Palace have scored two or more goals in four of their last five outings.
- Larnaca have found the net in each of their last five games across all competitions.
- The hosts have won eight of their last 13 home games across all competitions (D5).
Correct score prediction: Crystal Palace 3-1 AEK Larnaca
While there is little doubt about Palace’s superiority over their visitors, Glasner will be wary of the threat posed by an AEK side that have shown attacking intent in recent weeks. The Cypriot outfit are likely to find the net, but the hosts should have enough in their locker to claim a comfortable win
Pre-match analysis: Hosts tipped as heavy favourites
- HOME: 1/6 (1.17) – 85.7%
- DRAW: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.3%
- AWAY: 14/1 (15.00) – 6.7%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change*
The odds clearly underline Palace’s position as overwhelming favourites, with an implied win probability of 85.7%. By contrast, AEK Larnaca’s 6.7% chance of victory highlights the significant gulf in quality between the two sides, so anything short of a home win would therefore come as a major surprise.
Our hot tip of both teams to score is priced at 2.38, offering great value considering both clubs’ recent patterns of finding and conceding goals regularly.
Most recent H2H: First-time meeting
This will mark the first-ever encounter between Palace and Larnaca. It also represents the Eagles's maiden competitive meeting against a Cypriot opponent, while AEK’s last encounter with an English side came during the 2022-23 campaign.
Crystal Palace preview: At least three injured, one suspended
Palace are expected to be without Chadi Riad, Caleb Kporha and Cheick Doucoure, as all players continue their respective recoveries from injuries. Left-back Borna Sosa will also be unavailable due to suspension, having received a red card in the previous continental fixture.
Predicted XI: Henderson (GK), Clyne, Lacroix, Guehi, Esse, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell, Kamada, Devenny & Nketiah
Crystal Palace’s last five results:
- 18/10/25: Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth (D)
- 05/10/25: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace (L)
- 02/10/25: Dyn. Kyiv 0-2 Crystal Palace (W)
- 27/09/25: Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool (W)
- 20/09/25: West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace (W)
AEK Larnaca preview: Key attacking duo remain sidelined
Larnaca travel to England without several important players. Goalkeeper Kewin Komar is sidelined with a broken hand, while left-back Angel Garcia continues to recover from a muscle tear. In attack, Enzo Cabrera and Karol Angielski are both unavailable due to knee and muscle problems respectively, limiting the visitors’ options in the final third.
Predicted XI: Alomerovic (GK), Ekpolo, Milicevic, Roberge, Gnali, Roberge, Gustavo, Pons, Rubio, Bajic & Chacon
Larnaca’s last five results:
- 18/10/25: Paralimni 0-2 AEK Larnaca (W)
- 05/10/25: AEK Larnaca 2-4 Pafos (L)
- 02/10/25: AEK Larnaca 4-0 AZ Alkmaar (W)
- 27/09/25: Krasava 0-4 AEK Larnaca (W)
- 22/09/25: AEK Larnaca 3-2 Aris (W)
Player to watch: Jean-Philippe Mateta
Jean-Philippe Mateta has enjoyed an excellent run of form both domestically and internationally. The French striker recently earned his first call-up to the national team and marked his first start with a goal. Upon returning to club duty, the 28-year-old netted a hat-trick against Bournemouth last weekend and will be looking to continue his impressive scoring form on Thursday.