Crystal Palace will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, 19 February, for the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff tie with Zrinjski.
The Eagles will feel disappointed that they didn't finish inside the top eight after the league phase of the competition, but they can put things right here by securing an aggregate victory over the next two weeks.
As part of this week's round of Europa Conference League betting tips, check out our Zrinjski vs Crystal Palace prediction below.
Contents
Zrinjski vs Crystal Palace prediction: Hosts to take something to Selhurst Park
Key Stats
- Crystal Palace have won just one of their last three European matches.
- Zrinjski have lost just one of their last three European matches.
- Both teams have scored in five of Crystal Palace's last six games in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Zrinjski 1-1 Crystal Palace
There is a reason Crystal Palace are in this position, and it is that they have failed to win multiple matches that they should have won in this competition. On paper, the Eagles should win, but that's been said a lot this season, not least in the FA Cup third round when they lost to non-league Macclesfield.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The hosts are the underdogs
- HOME: 15/2 (8.50) – 11.8%
- DRAW: 4/1 (5.00) 20%
- AWAY: 4/11 (1.36) – 73.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Zrinjski vs Crystal Palace odds tell us that the visitors should walk away from Bosnia and Herzegovina with a first-leg advantage on Thursday night. Ladbrokes have given Zrinjski an 11.8% chance of winning the match, while Crystal Palace have been given a 73.3% chance of victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A first-ever meeting
This will be the first time that Zrinjski and Crystal Palace have ever played against each other. Zrinjski have only ever played one other English side before, and that was Aston Villa during the 2023/24 Europa Conference League. The Bosnian side drew 1-1 at home and lost 1-0 at Villa Park.
Zrinjski preview: Plenty of new faces
Zrinjski could have as many as five new players in their squad on Thursday night, following the signings of Tomi Juric, Toni Majic, Tin Sajko, Adi Nalic and Dan Lagumdzija in January. On the injury front, Toni Sunjic has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Predicted lineup: G. Karacic (GK), Memija, Barisic, Dujmovic, D. Karacic, Mamic, Durasek, Savic, Mikic, Bilbija, Cuze
Last five results
- Borac Banja Luka 3-0 Zrinjski (WWIN Liga BiH)
- Zrinjski 4-0 Stupcanica (Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Cup)
- Zrinjski 1-0 Sloga Doboj (WWIN Liga BiH)
- Posusje 0-5 Zrinjski (Friendly)
- Zrinjski 4-0 Vrsac (Friendly)
Crystal Palace preview: Three fresh faces added to their European squad
Brennan Johnson, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Evann Guessand have all been added to the Crystal Palace Europa Conference League squad and at least two of them are expected to start on Thursday night. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure have all been ruled out through injuries.
Predicted lineup: Henderson (GK), Clyne, Richards, Lacroix, Riad, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa, Johnson, Pino, Strand Larsen
Last five results
- Crystal Palace 2-3 Burnley (Premier League)
- Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
- Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Sunderland 2-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
Player to watch: Brennan Johnson
Brennan Johnson is still searching for his first Crystal Palace goal, and the Welshman will feel his best chance of ending that search is against Zrinjski on Thursday night. Johnson was brilliant in Europe for Spurs last season, and could turn out to be the difference maker for Crystal Palace.