Crystal Palace will look to rubber-stamp their place in this season’s Europa Conference League final when they welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Selhurst Park on Thursday night.
Oliver Glasner’s side took a significant step towards this month's showpiece with an impressive 3-1 victory in last week’s first leg, putting themselves firmly in control of the tie.
The Eagles are now widely expected to finish the job as they chase back-to-back seasons of silverware, following last year’s FA Cup heroics.
With their priorities firmly centred on the Conference League, it came as little surprise that Palace were brushed aside 3-0 by an in-form Bournemouth side in the Premier League at the weekend.
Shakhtar, meanwhile, have a mountain to climb if they are to overturn a two-goal deficit and reach the final, where either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg await.
That said, Arda Turan’s men will arrive with a degree of momentum after securing a 2-1 victory away at Dynamo Kyiv on Saturday, a triumph that tightened their grip on top spot in the Ukrainian Premier League.
How the bookies view it: Eagles in easy street
Unsurprisingly, Crystal Palace head into this week’s second leg as heavy odds-on favourites, with a home win available at a best price of 3/5 with Betfred.
Shakhtar Donetsk, who must win by at least two goals to stand any chance of progressing, are priced as big as 4/1 with Betfred, while the draw is considered an outside possibility at 10/3 with the same firm.
Head to head: History favours the hosts
Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk met for the first time in last week’s first leg, with the Eagles, as already mentioned, claiming a 3-1 victory.
It’s also worth noting that Oliver Glasner’s side got the better of Dynamo Kyiv earlier in the competition, which only strengthens the case for the hosts heading into Thursday’s return leg.
Players to watch: Sarr to star?
Having notched his eighth Europa Conference League goal of the campaign in last week’s first leg, Ismaila Sarr looks good value to register either a goal or an assist on Thursday night at 5/6 with bet365.
Oleg Ocheretko struck Shakhtar Donetsk in last week’s first leg, and he’s as big as 9/1 with Paddy Power to get on the scoresheet again at Selhurst Park on Thursday night.
Predicted line-ups
With one eye firmly on this second leg, it was no surprise to see Palace boss Glasner ring the changes away at Bournemouth on Sunday. The hosts head into this clash without the injured quartet of Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure, Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand.
As for Shakhtar, they come into this week’s second leg with a clean bill of health, having reported no fresh injury concerns.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk; Tobias, Bondar, Matviienko, Henrique; Ocheretko, Nazaryna, Isaque; Alisson, K. Elias, Newerton
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing Crystal Palace to win alongside under 4.5 goals will boost the odds to 10/11 on bet365.
Not only did this combination click during last week's first leg, but it would have also paid out in each of the Eagles' other five continental victories this season.
BTTS No would have been a winning selection in four of Crystal Palace's six Europa League home games this season, so a repeat here could be worth a look at 17/20 with Paddy Power.
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