Shakhtar Donetsk face Crystal Palace on neutral ground in Kraków on April 30 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace
April 30, 21:00 (local time)
Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium, Krakow (Poland)
Bookmakers favour Palace in this encounter, with odds of 2.13 for a win, 3.51 for a draw, and 4.03 for Shakhtar.
The betting markets do not expect a high-scoring game, with odds of 2.30 for over 2.5 goals, reflecting the cautious nature of a two-legged tie.
Crystal Palace have struggled for consistency following a successful campaign last season. The FA Cup and Community Shield holders have found it difficult to fully replace key players who previously drove the team’s performances.
A place in the Conference League final – and the chance to win the club’s first European trophy – could be a fitting send-off for head coach Oliver Glasner, who has indicated this may be his final season at Selhurst Park.
Shakhtar, meanwhile, have reached a European semi-final for the first time since 2020. It has been an impressive debut season for Arda Turan, with the Donetsk side leading the Ukrainian Premier League by eight points.
A talented group of young Brazilian players has played a key role in Shakhtar’s European run, and ties against English opposition offer a valuable opportunity to showcase themselves on a bigger stage.
Prediction:
Shakhtar double chance (X1)
