Larnaca vs Crystal Palace – News and Probable Lineups

On Thursday evening in Cyprus, AEK Larnaca and Crystal Palace will compete for a spot in the European quarter-finals at the AEK Arena.

Following a scoreless draw in the first leg at Selhurst Park last week, this last-16 encounter in the Conference League is finely balanced, with the hosts aiming to pull off a significant upset against their Premier League opponents.

Match overview

After being surprised by Larnaca with a 1-0 loss during their European home debut in October, Crystal Palace viewed the first leg last week as a chance to set things right. However, the Eagles struggled to convert their dominance, which included over 70% possession and 13 attempts on goal, into a goal.

Facing boos for the second time in four days from their supporters at Selhurst Park, Oliver Glasner’s squad again failed to find the finishing touch in a 0-0 draw with 10-man Leeds United, marking the first time in Premier League history a team has not recorded a shot on target against an opponent that had a player sent off in the first half.

With a comfortable 10-point cushion above the relegation zone, sitting 14th in the Premier League, Palace can afford to place their focus on European progression. Nevertheless, they must discover their cutting edge in Cyprus to sustain their aspirations, with a potential quarter-final clash against either Fiorentina or Rakow Czestochowa looming.

Glasner, who notably steered Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League victory in 2022, will leave Palace at the end of the season, and the Austrian is keen to depart on a high note as his Eagles aim to replicate last season’s Conference League champions Chelsea by keeping the trophy in London.

This season, Palace has achieved four victories, drawn three, and suffered two losses in their nine Conference League matches, recording two wins and one draw from four away games, their solitary defeat away from home came against Strasbourg (2-1), who topped the League Phase table.

Javi Rozada was appointed as the head coach of Larnaca just three days before last week’s draw at Palace, and the 43-year-old Spaniard now sees a significant opportunity for his squad to accomplish something monumental for Cypriot football in the home leg on Thursday.

The Yellow-Greens are among just two teams in this season’s Conference League, along with Strasbourg, that remain unbeaten, having won three and drawn four out of their seven fixtures, finishing eighth in the League Phase, two points ahead of Palace in 10th place.

Larnaca holds the best defensive record in this year’s Conference League, a testament to their success in Europe. They have maintained six clean sheets and conceded only one goal—a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against BK Hacken on matchday five.

The Cypriot outfit seems to have gained momentum under Rozada, who took over from Imanol Idiakez after the club fell eight points behind Omonoia in the First Division title race. A 2-0 victory over Ethnikos Achna on Monday has boosted their morale ahead of what could be their most significant European encounter on Thursday.

Team News

Larnaca’s Jorge Miramon was forced off due to a calf injury in the first leg last week and is accompanied in the treatment room by Valentin Roberge (finger), Youssef Amyn (hamstring), Giorgos Naoum (muscle), and Jimmy Suarez (groin).

Petros Ionannu is slated to step in at right wing-back in Miramon’s absence, with Angel Garcia anticipated to return on the opposite flank of a five-man backline, replacing Jairo Izquierdo, who is ineligible for the Europa League alongside Alex Cardero.

Riad Bajic has netted two of Larnaca’s seven goals in the Conference League this season, including a vital goal during their League Phase victory at Selhurst Park five months ago, and he is likely to lead the line as the sole striker on Thursday.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace will be without Eddie Nketiah (thigh) and Cheick Doucoure (knee) due to injuries, while Dean Henderson (illness) and Daniel Munoz (shoulder) missed the weekend draw with Leeds and will be evaluated ahead of kickoff.

While Henderson is expected to be fit enough to take over from Walter Benitez as the goalkeeper, Munoz may not be ready to start, which could lead to Brennan Johnson being used as a makeshift right wing-back for the third consecutive match.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, who nearly transferred to AC Milan in January, has received mixed reactions from Palace supporters after returning from injury to come off the bench in the last two matches. The French forward has yet to score in the Conference League and is vying with Jorgen Strand Larsen for a starting position, but the latter is more likely to get the nod.

AEK Larnaca probable starting XI:

Alomerovic; Ionannu, Milicevic, Saborit, Ekpolo, Garcia; Rohden, Ledes, Pons, Ivanovic; Bajic

Crystal Palace probable starting XI:

Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Johnson, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen

A tightly fought and low-scoring contest looks to be on the horizon. Larnaca may hold a slight mental advantage having remained unbeaten in both prior matchups with Palace this season, but the Eagles’ superior strength in the Premier League should ultimately prevail.

We anticipate Glasner’s side to navigate a tense evening in Cyprus and secure a narrow win to progress to the quarter-finals.