Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace – News and Probable Lineups

Crystal Palace aims to sustain their first-ever European adventure as they head to Bosnia-Herzegovina for a playoff first leg against Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League on Thursday night.

The matchup will take place at Bijeli Brijeg Stadium, marking the inaugural meeting between these two teams, both eager to improve their chances of reaching the last 16 before next week’s return leg at Selhurst Park.

Match overview

Despite not finishing in the top eight during the League Phase, Crystal Palace remains the bookmakers’ favorite to capture the Conference League title, aspiring to become the third English club to achieve this feat, following West Ham (2023) and Chelsea (2025).

The Eagles posted three wins, two draws, and one loss across their six fixtures, finishing in 10th place in the 36-team table after a 2-2 home draw against KuPS on December 18.

Under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, the team struggled with a 10-match winless streak in all competitions before securing a 1-0 away victory over Brighton on February 8. However, they were brought back down to earth with an unexpected 3-2 home defeat to relegation-threatened Burnley last week, leaving them in 13th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Recent performances have been influenced by off-field distractions, with Glasner confirming his departure at season’s end, captain Marc Guehi transferring to Manchester City, and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s last-minute move to AC Milan collapsing. On a positive note, Palace made headlines by breaking their transfer record twice during the winter window, bringing in Brennan Johnson (£33.5m) and later Jorgen Strand Larsen (£48m).

The Eagles are optimistic about returning from Bosnia with a favorable outcome, having won two out of three European away games this season (L1) and generally performing better on the road in the Premier League (20 points away vs. 12 at home).

After their elimination in the Conference League group stage during their European debut in 2023-24, Zrinjski Mostar progressed to this season’s knockout stage thanks to a late equalizer in their final League Phase match.

A 93rd-minute own goal enabled the Nobles to secure a 1-1 draw against Rapid Vienna, allowing them to rise to 23rd place in the 36-team standings, clinching a playoff spot on goal difference after accumulating seven points in total from six matches (W2 D1 L3).

Their standout performance in the League Phase came with a commanding 5-0 win at home over Lincoln Red Imps in their opening match, though they would prefer to forget their heavy 6-0 defeat against Dynamo Kiev—who Crystal Palace defeated 2-0 in their opener.

Zrinjski are the reigning champions of the Bosnian top division, having won the title nine times overall, but faced a setback last weekend with a 3-0 loss to rivals Borac Banja Luka, putting them four points off the top.

Nonetheless, Zrinjski enters Thursday’s fixture against Palace having won their first two competitive home games in 2026 by a combined score of 5-0 and remain unbeaten on home soil in this season’s Conference League (W2 D1).

Team News

Zrinjski Mostar has reinforced their Europa League squad with five new players: Dan Lagumdzija, Tomi Juric, Toni Magic, Adi Nalic, and Tin Sajko, while Antonio Ilic, Darick Kobie Morris, and Toma Palic have been omitted.

Additionally, Ilija Masic and Vitalie Damascan, both of whom featured in four of Zrinjski’s six League Phase games, along with Jakov Pranjic and Darko Velkoxi have left the club during the January transfer window, while Toni Sunjic (knee) is ruled out due to injury.

Midfielder Neven Durasek is set to return from a one-match suspension incurred during the draw with Rapid Vienna and may partner with centre-forward Nemanja Bilbija, who leads the team with 15 goals across all competitions this season.

For Crystal Palace, Mateta, Cheick Doucoure (both knee) and Eddie Nketiah (thigh) are definitely out due to injuries, and Christantus Uche has been excluded from the updated Conference League squad.

On the bright side, January signings Johnson, Strand Larsen, and Evann Guessand have all been included in the squad; notably, Johnson scored the decisive goal for Tottenham in last season’s Europa League final and will aim to reclaim a starting spot after beginning as a substitute against Burnley.

Strand Larsen, fresh off netting his first two goals for Palace against Burnley, is expected to lead the line, while players like Yeremy Pino, Will Hughes, Nathaniel Clyne, Borna Sosa, Chadi Riad, and Jaydee Canvot will be eager for a recall.

Zrinjski Mostar probable starting XI:

Mr. Karacic; Memija, Barisic, Dujmovic, D. Karacic, Mamic; Savic, Durasek; Mikic, Bilbija, Cuze

Crystal Palace probable starting XI:

Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Johnson, Pino; Strand Larsen

In only one of Zrinjski’s last seven competitive matches have both teams scored, and the Bosnian team failed to find the net in half of their League Phase contests. However, Palace has appeared defensively weak in recent outings, which might boost the hosts’ confidence ahead of the first leg on Thursday.

Regardless, Palace will be viewed as strong favorites to win, and even if Glasner opts to rest certain key players, the Eagles should possess sufficient quality to secure the victory.