Shakhtar and Crystal Palace will face off in the semi-finals during their debut in the Conference League. The Ukrainians will be aiming to become the first team from their country to win a European trophy since their own triumph in the 2008/09 UEFA Cup.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Following another season of European cup action away from home, Shakhtar have shown tremendous determination by reaching the semi-finals of a UEFA competition for the third time in 11 seasons. On the two previous occasions, the club were knocked out by Sevilla (2015/16) and Inter (2019/20) in the Europa League, and although they performed very well in the quarter-finals against AZ Alkmaar, particularly in Krakow (3-0), an even tougher test now awaits them. It is difficult to talk about home advantage, as Shakhtar have won only two of their six matches in Krakow this season (2 draws, 2 defeats).
Only four of the 19 goals scored by Shakhtar in this Conference League campaign were scored before half-time.
In seven of Shakhtar’s ten matches in this season’s Conference League, more than 2.5 goals were scored.
Shakhtar’s Alisson Santana has scored six goals in European competitions this season, three of which opened the scoring in the match.
Shakhtar midfielder Dmytro Kryskiv is still injured.
A match prediction has been published on the Telegram channel.
Crystal Palace
Reigning FA Cup holders Crystal Palace were transferred from the Europa League to the Conference League due to club ownership regulations, and in their first European cup campaign since 1998 (the Intertoto Cup), they are looking quite comfortable at this level. Manager Oliver Glasner believes that the 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in the group stage will prove valuable experience given the lack of match practice in the UEFA play-offs, especially as it was one of the Londoners’ three away wins in Europe this season (2 wins, 2 defeats).
Crystal Palace have scored 14 goals and conceded just one before half-time in this Conference League campaign.
Five of Palace’s six wins in this Conference League campaign have been by a margin of at least two goals.
Ismaïla Sarr is the top scorer still in the competition – he has seven goals in the Conference League, having scored at least one goal in each of his last three matches.
Evan Gessand and Eddie Nketiah are unlikely to feature in the squad.
Shakhtar vs Crystal Palace prediction
Over 2.5 goals – effectively the best bet for this match.
