Oliver Glasner takes his Crystal Palace troops to Bosnia and Herzegovina to face Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday night. The Eagles are heavy favourites heading into their Europa Conference League play-off tie.
It has not been the greatest of European debuts for Palace, who finished 10th during the league phase. Glasner’s men won three and lost two of six games, missing out on automatic progress to the last 16 by two points.
Palace face Mostar, who sit second in the Bosnian league. The first-leg encounter between the two sides at Bijeli Brijeg Stadium will be the first time they meet each other.
Crystal Palace team news
Glasner confirmed that Jean-Philippe Mateta doesn’t require surgery despite a move to AC Milan falling through last month after a failed medical. The French striker is dealing with a knee issue and won’t be available for the game in Bosnia.
That’s also the case for Cheick Doucoure, who is also sidelined with a knee injury. The Malian midfielder hasn’t featured this season after undergoing surgery.
Eddie Nketiah will also sit out the clash with Mostar as he’s nursing a thigh injury. The former Arsenal striker has been out of action since December.
The only other absentee is Christantus Uche, who wasn’t included in Glasner’s updated Conference League squad. The Nigerian forward joined the club last summer but has yet to win over his manager although he did bag two goals in four Conference League outings.
Palace’s January signings were all added to the updated squad, including Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian will hope to build on his brace in a 3-2 loss to Burnley last weekend.
Brennan Johnson and Evann Guessand are also available after arriving at Selhurst Park last month. It will be interesting to see whether Glasner opts to rotate or goes with a strong lineup in Bosnia.
Expected XI
Dean Henderson will inevitably start in goal, with a likely back three of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix and Chadi Riad. At wing-back, Glasner can be expected to go with Nathaniel Clyne and Borna Sosa.
Palace will be pinning their hopes on Adam Wharton starring for the remainder of the campaign. The in-demand English midfielder is likely to start alongside Will Hughes in midfield.
Johnson has a point to prove after he started on the bench against Burnley. The Welshman has yet to justify the £33.5m the South Londoners paid Tottenham Hotspur in January.
Yeremy Pino and Strand Larsen will probably join him in a three-man attack. There is a chance for the attacking trio to show their worth against a Mostar side that shipped 10 goals in the league phase.
Crystal Palace likely lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Johnson, Pino; Strand Larsen
Prediction
Crystal Palace have already suffered a giant-killing this season after the shock defeat to Macclesfield in the FA Cup. Glasner won’t want a repeat of that in Bosnia, and a statement win should be on the cards.
Johnson needs to step up and prove the club were right to splash the cash on him. This is the perfect occasion for the Welsh attacker, and if he does start, expect him to score his first goal for the Eagles.
Mostar’s defence can be got at, but so too can the visitors who capitulated against Burnley and squandered a two-nil lead. Glasner’s side should be too strong for the Bosnians, although it’s worth noting that Igor Stimac’s side managed a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa two seasons ago.
Prediction: Zrinjski Mostar 0-2 Crystal Palace
