Crystal Palace continue their debut European campaign on Thursday (March 12th) when they meet Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca. The two sides clash in the Europa Conference League Round of 16, with the first leg at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner’s men booked their place in the last 16 courtesy of a 3-1 win over Bosnian minnows Zrinjski Mostar. The tide has turned for the Eagles following a frustrating winter, during which the team endured dismal form.
Revenge may well be on Palace players’ minds when they encounter Larnaca. Imanol Idiakez’s men stole a 1-0 win at Selhurst during the competition’s league phase back in October.
Crystal Palace team news
Glasner had good news for fans at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. He confirmed that three players were back and set to be included in his squad for the Larnaca clash.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is in contention to make his first appearance since failing a medical ahead of a proposed move to AC Milan. The French striker has been out of action with a knee injury, but his manager revealed that he was back on training on Monday and that he “will be in the squad.”
That’s also the case for Maxence Lacroix, who missed the 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Thursday through suspension. He’s joined the squad by Jefferson Lerma, who has missed the last four games but could make his return against Larnaca.
Glasner will be without Cheick Doucoure (knee), Eddie Nketiah (thigh) and Daniel Munoz (shoulder). The latter picked up the injury in the Spurs win but could be back in time for the Leeds United encounter on Sunday (March 15th).
Expected XI
With Palace boosted by the returns of three key men, it will be interesting to see how Glasner lines up against Larnaca. Lacroix is probably the only one who makes the starting lineup, given Mateta and Lerma were out for significant periods.
Nathaniel Clyne will potentially replace Munoz at right wing-back as he did in the Spurs win. Chadi Riad might be the one to drop out of the XI for Lacroix, given Jaydee Canvot has impressed.
Evann Guessand is continuing to earn himself a likely permanent switch to Selhurst Park and might take the left wing. Mateta will likely settle for a place on the bench with Jorgen Strand Larsen leading the line.
Crystal Palace likely lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen
Prediction
Palace need to take a lead to AEK Arena next week, and that should be how the game pans out tomorrow night. The Eagles come into the match after piling more misery on Spurs, and they were well worth the three points.
Larnaca have been in topsy-turvy form as of late, winning three and losing two of their last six games. If Glasner’s men are at their best, they should take one step towards the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 AEK Larnaca
