At a Glance
- Crystal Palace head to Larnaca on Thursday
- The tie is level at 0-0 on aggregate
- Munoz is back but Henderson unavailable
Crystal Palace have travelled to sunny Cyprus for arguably the biggest game of their season thus far against AEK Larnaca. The Eagles have been clocking up the miles in their debut Europa Conference League campaign.
Tomorrow night (March 19th) will be the third meeting between Palace and Larnaca, but the first at AEK Arena. Oliver Glasner’s men are without a win in their previous two encounters and were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
Glasner will be eager to end his reign by becoming the first manager in the South Londoners’ history to win a European trophy. That’s why the game on Thursday is so important.
Crystal Palace team news
Glasner has unfortunately confirmed that Dean Henderson will be unavailable for the encounter with Larnaca. The English goalkeeper is sidelined with illness and missed the 0-0 draw against Leeds United on Sunday.
Daniel Munoz travelled with the squad, and his manager says he is “fit to play.” The Colombian’s return is a massive boost, given Brennan Johnson’s struggles as a makeshift right wing-back in the first leg.
Eddie Nketiah is still recovering from a thigh injury and isn’t expected back until April. The game has come too soon for Cheick Doucoure, who has been back in action for the U21s having spent the season rehabilitating a knee problem that required surgery.
Expected XI
With Henderson staying in London, it means Walter Benitez will continue to fill in for the English goalkeeper. The Argentine was in goal for the draw against Leeds on the weekend.
If Munoz is fit to play, he must start because this Larnaca team are the best defensive side in the Conference League. The Colombian could prove crucial for the visitors at AEK Arena.
A back three of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix and Jaydee Canvot will likely start. Tyrick Mitchell should continue at left wing-back for the Eagles.
Glasner will go with Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton in central midfield after starting the pair on the bench against Leeds. He will be keen for the duo to control proceedings in the middle of the park.
Ismaila Sarr is a certain starter, and hopefully, he can conjure up one of his best displays in a Palace shirt. Evann Guessand has been excellent since joining on loan from Aston Villa and should be on the left flank.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the game is who Glasner chooses to lead the line. The Austrian could turn to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has recently returned from a knee injury.
But Jorgen Strand Larsen will probably get the nod. The club’s record-signing will be eager to prove he deserves to continue as the South Londoners’ number nine.
Crystal Palace expected XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen
Prediction
This is a tough test for Palace because Larnaca have only conceded one goal throughout their Conference League campaign. We saw in the first leg just how difficult the Cypriots are to break down, and it will be crucial that Glasner’s attackers make the most of their opportunities.
If the Eagles can find the back of the net before a penalty shootout, they should be victorious. It has an extra-time winner from Mateta written all over it.
Prediction: AEK Larnaca 0-1 Crystal Palace (AET)
