- Crystal Palace face Fiorentina
- Oliver Glasner will have Adam Wharton available
- Eagles looking to take advantage in Europa Conference League tie
Crystal Palace’s European adventure continues on Thursday (April 9th) when they face Fiorentina in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final. It’s another exciting fixture for Oliver Glasner’s men.
This might not be the same Fiorentina team that were among the most highly-regarded teams in Italian football. But they still boast several top players, including former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, ex-Everton frontman, and Moise Kean.
Palace are slight favourites to prevail over the two legs, and they will be eager to take advantage of the tie at Selhurst Park tomorrow night. A long break, thanks to international football and the FA Cup, means Glasner has almost a fully fit squad.
Crystal Palace Team News
One of Palace’s men who were in action during the international break was Adam Wharton. He represented England in a 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Wembley.
The young midfielder was forced to leave his national team after a slight knock sustained in that game. He sat out a shock 1-0 loss to Japan and has been resting ahead of the Fiorentina clash.
Glasner gave an update on Wharton ahead of tomorrow and suggested he is available to take on the Italians (via the club’s website):
“He had a minor adductor issue with England but it’s all sorted. He trained the whole week and is available tomorrow. The England team managed the minutes very well and so we are pleased that Adam also got a little bit of a break, and then started to prepare for the Fiorentina game by Sunday.”
While Wharton is fit to face Fiorentina, the same can’t be said for Eddie Nketiah, who has been out of action since December. His manager told reporters that he suffered a hamstring problem in training and is ruled out of the Conference League encounter.
Glasner is also remaining cautious over Cheick Doucoure, who has been appearing for the U21’s as he steps up his recovery from an ACL injury. It seems unlikely he’ll be in contention to make the squad for the game.
Expected XI
Glasner has plenty of decisions to make, including whether to hand Dean Henderson his first start since recovering from illness. The Palace goalkeeper missed a 2-1 win over AEK Larnaca in the second leg of the Round of 16.
Henderson was called up by England during the international break and made the bench in a shock 1-0 defeat to Japan. He sat out the Three Lions’ 1-1 draw against Uruguay in the first of the two friendly fixtures.
With the Eagles skipper likely to start, he’ll probably do so with a familiar back three. Chris Richards picked up a knock during the break but returned for the USMNT’s 2-0 loss to Portugal.
Richards will likely be joined in defence by Maxence Lacroix and Jaydee Canvot. Both represented France at senior and youth level and have been superb this season.
Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell will continue as wing-backs. Wharton’s availability makes him a shoo-in to start in central midfield alongside Daichi Kamada, who helped Japan claim a famous win over England.
Glasner’s toughest decision comes out wide, as he needs to decide who to start on the left wing. He could turn to Evan Guessand, who has been in fine form on loan from Aston Villa.
Yeremy Pino will also be under consideration, and the Spanish attacker might relish the chance to prove his doubters wrong. The former Villarreal man has yet to hit his stride since arriving at Selhurst Park last summer.
Up top, it will be Jean-Philippe Mateta with Jorgen Strand Larsen suspended. The Frenchman is set to make his first start since failing a medical ahead of a proposed £30m move to AC Milan in January.
No doubt about who is selected on the right wing, as Ismaila Sarr is enjoying the best season of any Palace player. He was at the double in the Round of 16 win over Larnaca.
Crystal Palace likely lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Mateta
Prediction
Crystal Palace have had difficulty against defensive teams in Europe this season, but Fiorentina are there for the taking. Not least because they will be without Moise Kean and Manor Solomon.
A comfortable victory should come through goals from Mateta and Sarr to give Glasner’s men the advantage ahead of the second leg. Taking a clean sheet to Artemio Franchi Stadium would be hugely beneficial.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 Fiorentina
