Crystal Palace are back in Conference League action against AEK Larnaca as they move to the Conference League second leg against the Cypriot opponents. Palace have never beaten Larnaca, having failed to score in either of their matches against them but they must do this year to make the last eight.
After a fairly drab goalless draw in the first leg, Crystal Palace head to Cyprus needing a win to advance to the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
Having failed to automatically reach the round-of-16, Palace must do things the hard way, with the second leg on the road instead of at Selhurst Park.
Now, with their Premier League safety all but secure, focus can be all in on Europe and Oliver Glasner securing his third trophy in two-and-a-half seasons with The Eagles.
Their first mission: Advance past AEK Larnaca.
Form Guide
Both sides are coming into this match on a little unbeaten streak, with Palace three games unbeaten and Larnaca having not lost in four.
Of course one of the those games was against each other at Selhurst Park, while Larnaca defeated Ethnikos Achna last time out, compared to Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United.
Both sides proved they do have the ability to get amongst the goals, when Larnaca defeated Akritas 3-0 and Palace subjected Tottenham Hotpur to more misery with an eye-catching 3-1 away win.
Previous meetings
The sides have met twice before, obviously drawing 0-0 last week, with AEK Larnaca winning 1-0 at Selhurst Park in the league stage in October.
This will be the first time the two sides meet in Cyprus.
Team News
Oliver Glasner is hopeful that Daniel Munoz and Dean Henderson will be back in action, after the pair missed out against Leeds.
Daniel Munoz suffered a shoulder injury in the win over Tottenham but is hoping to be back for the second leg against Larnaca. Image Credit: Action Images via ReutersHenderson was ruled out with illness and may well be back in action should he have recovered, while Munoz suffered a shoulder injury and is also probable to return.
Eddie Nketiah will be absent for The Eagles, with a thigh injury ruling him out until beyond the international break.
Odds
Despite being away from home and having never actually beaten or even scored against AEK Larnaca, Crystal Palace are clear 2/7 favourites to qualify for the quarter-finals according to Oddschecker.
AEK Larnaca have been given odds of 14/5 to get a result.
What did Oliver Glasner say?
"I think the performance was OK – not top,” Glasner told TNT Sports after the first leg.
"We had enough chances to win the game, we were very well-organised, we knew it was not easy to create chances and score goals.
"We had chances to score at least two, credit to the keeper. We were dominant, but set-plays were not easy with the wind and credit to them.
“The [tie] will be [decided] in Cyprus.
"We will play the third game against them, and it's time to score. We will maybe change a few things.
"It's clear if they [only] concede one in the group stage, they won't concede three or four against us.
"Maybe we have to wake up to their style a little bit."