Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park with a 3-1 aggregate lead over Shakhtar Donetsk after a sharp first-leg win in Krakow. It is the UEFA Conference League semifinal second leg, with Oliver Glasner’s side now one result away from a European final. Odds lean Palace, but Shakhtar’s high-possession game means there’s still work to do in south London.

What’s at stake and who’s in charge

The tie resumes at Selhurst Park, capacity 25,456, with Palace in control thanks to a 3-1 away win. The featured 1X2 market has Palace at 57/100, the draw at 10/3 and Shakhtar at 19/4. The Asian line lists Palace -1 at 37/40.

Spain’s Alejandro Hernandez officiates. Across 364 matches he has shown 1,936 yellow cards and 46 reds, so discipline will matter. Follow live momentum swings, lineups and the Sofascore Rating on Sofascore throughout the night.

First leg recap: Palace were ruthless

Shakhtar had 71% possession and 13 corners in the first leg, but Palace’s finishing and counter play won it. Palace produced 5 big chances to Shakhtar’s 2 and led the shots on target count 7-1, converting with real clarity.

Ismaïla Sarr scored inside the first minute, Oleg Ocheretko equalized after halftime, and then Daichi Kamada and Jørgen Strand Larsen sealed it late. On xG it was Shakhtar 1.15 to Palace 2.20. Kamada earned an 8.3 Sofascore Rating, with Sarr and Strand Larsen both at 7.7.

Shapes and stat tendencies to know

Projected formations point to Crystal Palace in a 3-4-3 and Shakhtar in a 4-1-4-1. Palace’s likely XI features Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Jaydee Canvot; Daniel Muñoz, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell; Ismaïla Sarr, Jean Philippe Mateta, and Yéremy Pino.

Season numbers back up the clash of styles. Palace average 54.4% possession with 83% passing accuracy and have generated 60 big chances, though they have also hit the woodwork 13 times. Shakhtar average 62.7% possession at 88% accuracy, with 53 shots on target across 11 matches and 56 corners won. Aerially, Palace have been strong, winning 56.1% of duels in the air.