2025-26 UECL Knockout Play-Offs: Second Leg – Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar

Crystal Palace host Zrinjski Mostar in the second leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Conference League Play-Off. 

With the tie locked at 1-1, victory would see either Palace or Zrinjski Mostar advance but if still level at full time then extra time will be required, with penalties potentially also needed if still tied on aggregated after the additional 30 minutes.

 

Team News

Maxence Lacroix faces a late fitness test after he missed their 1-0 Premier League victory at home to Wolves, due to an adductor injury suffered in the first leg.

Christantus Uche is ineligible to feature in this competition but will return for Palace’s Premier League trip to Manchester United on Sunday 1 March.

Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Eddie Nketiah (muscle), Jean-Philippe Mateta and Cheick Doucoure (both knee) remain absent.

Zrinjski Mostar have no fresh injury concerns to report.

Toni Sunjic (knee), Antonio Ilic, Darick Koble Morris and Toma Palic (all ineligible) are ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Palace host Zrinjski Mostar at Selhurst Park on Thursday 26 February at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 3 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Palace drew 1-1 in their only previous meeting against Zrinjski Mostar, which came away in the first leg of this tie.
• Zrinjski Mostar are making their first competitive visit to Palace in all UEFA competitions.
• Palace failed to keep a clean sheet at home in the league phase (W1, D1, L1).
• Zrinjski Mostar lost all three away games in the league phase without scoring (L3), during which they conceded eight goals.

 

Prediction

With this tie still in the balance, Oliver Glasner has to put out his strongest team especially after a pretty wasteful display in their eventual domestic win over Wolves, in which they started and finished well but lost their rhythm halfway through a bit like in the first leg of this tie.

Zrinjski Mostar meanwhile has nothing to lose coming into this leg given their underdog status but a strong start is needed given their poor away record in the league phase.

I however do think that Palace will find a way through even if patience is initially needed but they realistically should be too strong at home.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Zrinjski Mostar

Result: Crystal Palace 2-0 Zrinjski Mostar (Crystal Palace win 3-1 on aggregate)