Conference League
2026-02-26 - Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Conference League Knock Out Play Off Second Leg
Wednesday 26th February 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Crystal Palace
Another frustrating day was on the cards as Crystal Palace continued to put together a wasteful display in the final third, but the late winner over Wolves may have galvanised the players. It is clear that things are not going to plan right now under Oliver Glasner and the manager is having a bit of a back and forth with the supporters that isn't good for anyone.
The Selhurst Park crowd need to be behind Crystal Palace if they are going to have a prolonged run in the Conference League and the side are favourites to progress to the Last 16. They were pretty disappointing in the 1-1 draw in the away Leg last week, but Crystal Palace should have the qualities needed to get the better of this opponent in South London.
Crystal Palace have lost 1 of the last 4 games in all competitions and they have won twice in that run, which may be suggesting a turnaround in fortunes. The Eagles were on course for a tenth home game without a victory on Sunday, but scored late on in the 1-0 win over Wolves to snap that poor run at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner will be prioritising the Conference League through the remainder of the season with Crystal Palace looking a bit more secure in the Premier League standings. A strong team is expected to be named for this Second Leg.
Zrinjski Mostar
The title challenge is just faltering in the Bosnian top flight and Zrinjski Mostar are heading to England after a disappointing 1-1 home drew this past weekend. That was the same scoreline in the First Leg of this Knock Out Play Off tie, although it means Zrinjski Mostar will need a big upset to take their place in the Conference League Last 16 draw.
Merely making it through to the Knock Out Rounds of any European competition has to be seen as a success for Zrinjski Mostar and credit has to be given to them having taken part in any UEFA tournament after August for just the second time. The side finished 23rd in the Conference League standings and Zrinjski Mostar struggled away from home where they had a 0-0-3 record and failed to score a goal.
Zrinjski Mostar returned from the Winter Break with a couple of wins, but the draw this past weekend means they have not won any of the last 3 in all competitions. They were beaten 3-0 at Bosnian League leaders Borac Banja Luka in the last away game played, but Zrinjski Mostar may feel they can make things awkward for the hosts in this one having only been beaten 1-0 at Mainz and Rakow in the Conference League.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive meeting between the clubs hosted by Crystal Palace.
Prediction
They were disappointing in the First Leg and Crystal Palace are not quite convincing at the moment.
The 1-0 win over Wolves was a deserved victory, but Crystal Palace needed Dean Henderson to save a Penalty that would have allowed the bottom club to lead.
Oliver Glasner and the fans are not on the same page at the moment, which is not helping matters, but the players have to use that win on Sunday to try and make sure they avoid any drama in this Conference League Knock Out Play Off Second Leg.
Clean sheets in wins over Brighton and Wolves will certainly help the mood, even if the latter was thanks to the goalkeeper, and Zrinjski Mostar have yet to score an away goal in the Conference League. The Bosnian club also failed to score in a couple of Qualifying ties back in the summer and it may be a game in which the hosts just showcase the English Premier League quality against an overmatched opponent.
Of course Crystal Palace were beaten by non-League Macclesfield in the FA Cup last month and so an upset cannot be completely ruled out, but it would be another low for the team this season and may also spell the end of the Glasner era if The Eagles were to be beaten.
The likelihood is that Crystal Palace have a bit too much strength at both ends of the field and they can win this game with a clean sheet.
The Pick :
Crystal Palace 3-0 Zrinjski Mostar
