Conference League

2026-05-07 - Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk
Football: UEFA Conference League Semi Final Second Leg
Thursday 7th May 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

Crystal Palace

A lacklustre first half saw Crystal Palace fall a couple of goals behind at Bournemouth on Sunday and they were well beaten when all was said and done. While the manager did not want to make excuses, Oliver Glasner also stated that his Crystal Palace team have a big Semi Final coming up on Thursday.

There was a feeling that the Conference League Semi Final Second Leg would be a distraction for the Crystal Palace squad and it felt like that was the case in the 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth. A lack of focus would be costly in Crystal Palace's bid to reach the Conference League Final and Oliver Glasner will need to get his experience across to the players even after the 1-3 win at Shakhtar Donetsk last week.

Crystal Palace's win in the Conference League Semi Final First Leg is the only one they have produced in the last 5 in all competitions, while they have been beaten 3 times in that run. Home form has tended to be stronger and Crystal Palace are unbeaten in 7 at Selhurst Park in all competitions, while they have won 4 of those matches.

Rotations were used for the game at the Vitality Stadium and a much stronger Crystal Palace lineup will be expected in this one.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Over the last three weeks, Shakhtar Donetsk have cracked open the Ukrainian title race and a win over Dynamo Kyiv this past weekend has helped them create a 10 point gap at the top of the standings. The team have managed to do that while balancing domestic and European commitments, but Shakhtar Donetsk's hopes of reaching the Conference League Final took a big hit last week.

Having to host on neutral field is always going to be challenging and Shakhtar Donetsk were beaten 1-3 by Crystal Palace in the First Leg of this Semi Final. Playing away from home in the Conference League has not been so problematic for Shakhtar Donetsk who had won all 4 away ties since the beginning of the League Phase until the 2-2 draw at AZ Alkmaar.

Shakhtar Donetsk have won 4 of the last 5 games in all competitions and that may mean the squad have retained some confidence, despite the loss in the First Leg of this Semi Final. Not only are Shakhtar Donetsk unbeaten in 11 away games in all competitions, but the side have won 8 of those fixtures including the last 3 in a row.

Head to Head

This is the first time Crystal Palace will be hosting Shakhtar Donetsk in a competitive fixture.

Prediction

They were clearly the better team in the First Leg and Crystal Palace are expected to make sure they do enough to beat Shakhtar Donetsk in this Conference League Semi Final.

Oliver Glasner will pick a strong team and the players are clearly focusing on this competition as they look to add more silverware to a trophy cabinet that had limited use at Selhurst Park before last season.

Losing 3-0 at Bournemouth may make the team selection that much easier for Glasner and he will bring back some important players that were offered an opportunity to earn some rest.

Crystal Palace have not always been at their best at home in the Conference League as teams have been willing to sit back, but the game situation should suit the English Premier League team.

Holding a two goal lead means there is some onus on Shakhtar Donetsk to get forward and try and get back into the tie, and that should suit Crystal Palace and the counter attacking approach.

Dismissing Shakhtar Donetsk would be a mistake considering what we have seen from this team in the Conference League this season and especially away from home. They are on course to once again be crowned Ukrainian Champions and so have obvious quality, but Shakhtar Donetsk may find it tough to contain Crystal Palace when pushing forward and the home team can secure a place in the Conference League Final behind another victory on Thursday evening.