Conference League winners Crystal Palace make their Europa League debut on Thursday night as they welcome Lech Poznan to Selhurst Park.
12 months on from their FA Cup triumph, Oliver Glasner guided Crystal Palace to a memorable Conference League crown in May, as they defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final.
However, since then, ex-Lens manager Pierre Sage has taken over from the departing Austrian, and things haven’t gotten off to a great start, as they have lost three of their opening four Premier fixtures this season.
The latest of which came at the weekend, as they suffered a late 2-3 defeat at home to newly-promoted Ipswich Town in a game in which they were reduced to 10 men after 34 minutes.
Lech Poznan bounced back from their exit in the Champions League qualifies by AGF by overcoming both KI and FC Thun in the Europa League qualifiers.
Niels Frederiksen’s visitors have also made a strong start to their domestic campaign, picking up 16 points from the opening 18 available.
However, like their hosts, the Railwaymen come into this clash off the back of a defeat, as they were beaten 2-1 away at Ekstraklasa leaders Gornik Zabrze.
How the bookies view it: Palace favourites
Crystal Palace are favourites to make a winning start to their Europa League league phase campaign, with bet365 pricing a home success at just 2/5.
Lech Poznan are 13/2 underdogs to leave South London with all three points, whilst the draw is 15/4.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Thursday evening will be the first-ever meeting between these two clubs.
Players to watch: Strand Larsen to strike again?
Jorgen Strand Larsen thought he had earned his side a point at the weekend, as he equalised against Ipswich Town in the final 15 minutes.
The big Norwegian also bagged a brace in the game before that against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup, and he is priced at 10/11 at bet365 to score for a third consecutive match for the Eagles.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Crystal Palace are unable to call upon Dean Henderson, Chadi Road, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.
Lech Poznan travel to South London without the injured Daniel Hakans, Alex Douglas, Antoni Kozubal, Ali Gholizadeh and Kamil Jakobczyk.
Crystal Palace: Benitez, Richard’s, Disasi, Ahanor, Khalaili, Hughes, Timber, Chilwell, Kamada, Pino, Strand Larsen
Lech Poznan: Lis, Pereira, Skrzypczak, Monka, Gurgul, Walemark, Murawski, Berggren, Sayyadmanesh, Rodriguez, Ishak
Anything else catch the eye?
Goals look the way to go at Selhurst Park on Thursday night, with Crystal Palace’s opening five matches in all competitions producing 20 goals, with Over 2.5 Goals landing in each of the last four, whilst three of those have also gone Over 3.5 Goals.
Over 2.5 Goals has paid out in 11/14 (79%) of Lech Poznan’s matches in all competitions this season, including in seven of their last eight.
Over 2.5 Goals pays just 8/13 at bet365, but taking the 2.75 Asian Goal Line pays a more backable 4/5, which means if three goals are scored, we still receive a half-stakes winner, whilst four or more will reward a full payout.
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