Crystal Palace will be aiming to finish the league phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) with a win when they welcome KuPS to Selhurst Park on Thursday night. They are currently in ninth place in the standings, and will be hoping to finish in the top eight come the end of proceedings, which would guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, KuPS are currently in 25th place, just outside the top 24 which would yield a spot in the knockout play-offs. However, they will be rank outsiders up against a strong Premier League outfit in Palace.
Contents
Crystal Palace vs KuPS prediction: Eagles to soar into top eight?
Key stats
- Palace have won three of their last four games in all competitions.
- KuPS are winless in four matches across all competitions, losing three.
- Six of Palace's last eight wins in all competitions have been to nil.
Correct score prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 KuPS
Palace should be able to get the job done fairly comfortably on home soil. However, with KuPS only conceding three goals in their five UECL matches so far, we are not expecting a total whitewash here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Palace big favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 2/11 (1.18) – 84.6%
- DRAW: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.3%
- AWAY: 14/1 (15.00) – 6.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Palace are unsurprisingly the big favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points on home soil, and give them a great chance of finishing in the top eight. Both a draw and a KuPS victory are deemed highly unlikely at under 14% each.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Today’s betting tips page, as well as our Conference League predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting
This will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides. It will no doubt be interesting to see just how they match up against each other, with so much still at stake in the final round of fixtures.
Crystal Palace preview: Sarr heading to AFCON
Ismaila Sarr will not be available for Palace as he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Senegal. Daichi Kamada is also an injury doubt for the hosts.
Predicted lineup: Benitez (GK); Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Devenny, Wharton, Lerma, Sosa; Pino, Uche & Nketiah
Last five results:
- Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
- Shelbourne 0-3 Crystal Palace
- Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace
- Burnley 0-1 Crystal Palace
- Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
KuPS preview: Nearly a full squad to choose from
KuPS have almost everyone fit and available in their squad ahead of this clash. Samuel Pasanen is the only expected absentee through injury.
Predicted lineup: Kreidl (GK); Armah, Cisse, Miettinen, Antwi; Ruoppi, Arifi, Oksanen, Pennanen; Toure & Parzyszek
Last five results:
- KuPS 0-0 Lausanne
- KuPS 1-2 Oulu
- Jagiellonia 1-0 KuPS
- Hacken 2-0 KuPS
- HJK 0-2 KuPS
Player to watch: Eddie Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah could start in his favoured number nine position for Crystal Palace after an influential performance in his last UECL outing. Indeed, the former Arsenal striker scored and assisted in a 3-0 win at Shelbourne, and will be hoping to make a mark again on Thursday night.