Crystal Palace return to Conference League action as they welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Selhurst Park in the second leg of the semi-final. Palace won the first leg 3-1 in Krakow and have one foot in the final.
Crystal Palace welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Selhurst Park with the task of finishing the job off in their bid to reach a first-ever European final.
The Eagles succeeded with great aplomb in Krakow in the first leg, winning 3-1 in Poland, thanks to goals from Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
And now their task is simple: don’t lose by more than a goal, and they are into the final.
Of course, that is easier said than done, and Oliver Glasner has made it clear the team will not be taking Shakhtar lightly despite their comfortable position in the tie.
But how do the teams shape up heading into this one and who do we expect to be in the Crystal Palace XI?
Form guide
Palace are now at the point in the season where their league form and continental form are completely unrelated.
In Europe, the Eagles have been imperious, with a 3-1 win in the first leg of this fixture following a 4-2 aggregate triumph over Fiorentina and an extra time win over AEK Larnaca in the round of 16.
In the league, it has got slightly ugly in recent weeks.
A 2-1 win over Newcastle after the international break was a solid way to start, but Palace are now winless in three league games and have just one goal in those three, drawing 0-0 with West Ham, losing 3-1 to Liverpool and suffering a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at the weekend.
Shakhtar meanwhile, saw normal service resume at the weekend, defeating Dynamo Kyiv 2-1 to open up a 10-point lead at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League.
In Europe, they have not lost an away tie all season, showing they are a dangerous team on the road.
Previous Meetings
Unsurprisingly, last week’s meeting between the two sides was the first time Shakhtar and Palace had met, ending in a 3-1 win to Palace.
Team News
The positive news for Palace is that Will Hughes has recovered from his illness and is ready to get back involved again.
The Eagles will be without Borna Sosa and Evann Guessand though, with the duo likely to be back involved later in the season.
Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure remain long-term absentees.
Beyond that, everyone else is fit and available for Palace.
Predicted XI
Crystal Palace: 3-4-2-1: Henderson (c); Canvot, Lacroix, Richards; Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Munoz; Pino, Sarr; Mateta
Odds
Palace come into the tie as favourites for the game at 4/6 on, with Shakhtar at 4/1 and a draw at 3/1.
Palace clearly tipped to qualify by Bet365, at 1/40.
What did Oliver Glasner say?
If I wouldn't be excited for such a big game as tomorrow, and we can play the European final, it would be the wrong job for me. It’s why we all love to be a player, love to be a manager, love to be involved.
I think everybody is excited, and if you lose this excitement, then for me it would be a clear sign to retire. I'm enjoying it.
I told the players today I'm really enjoying being part of this incredible group.
What they have done for Crystal Palace in the last two years is just incredible.
For us, we're in this three-day rhythm and then preparing, analysing, preparing, analysing, and all this stuff. But what these players have done for Crystal Palace in the last two years is just incredible.
They've played in the Premier League, such great and big games, winning the FA Cup, then the Community Shield, a great start into the season, and now being close to playing in the European final.
I think this has been, for a few years, this has been so far away from Crystal Palace, and now it's, I don't know how you say it, it's close to reality.
And this makes this excitement for all of us because we know we can write history again.
And that's why we're really looking forward to the second leg.