2025-26 UECL Quarter-Finals: First Leg – Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina

Crystal Palace host Fiorentina in the first leg of their Quarter-Final tie in 2025-26 UEFA Conference League. 

Palace overcame AEK Larnaca in their Round of 16 tie to reach this stage, whilst Fiorentina beat Rakow Czestochowa to secure their spot in this tie.

 

Team News

Adam Wharton is set to be available for Palace after he withdrew from England’s squad after a 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay, having suffered a minor adductor injury.

Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) and Cheick Doucoure (knee) remain absent.

Fiorentina could be without Dodo due to a muscle injury which has affected his involvement in recent weeks.

Moise Kean (tibia/leg), Fabiano Parsi (bruise), Manor Solomon (thigh), Rolando Mandragora (calf), Niccolo Fortini (back) and Tariq Lamptey (ACL) are absent for the first leg.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Palace host Fiorentina at Selhurst Park on Thursday 9 April at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 3 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Palace’s first-ever meeting against Fiorentina.
• Fiorentina are making their first visit to Palace in all competitions.
• Three of Palace’s five goals in the knockout stages have been scored by Ismaila Sarr.
• Cher Ndour has scored in each of Fiorentina’s last two knockout matches (W2), as they beat Rakow Czestochowa 2-1 in both legs of their Round of 16 tie.

 

Prediction

With three weeks of preparation for this crucial home leg following their extra-time win at AEK Larnaca, Palace have nothing to lose as underdogs but they’ve got to be more clinical because the opposition quality is tougher than before.

Fiorentina meanwhile overcame Polish opposition in the two knockout rounds so far and are considered strong contenders for the title, but their priority surely has to lie on domestic matters as they’re just five points above the Serie A relegation zone so will be interesting to see how they approach this.

Palace meanwhile have the luxury that Tottenham and Manchester United both had last season of being safe enough from the domestic drop for them to have a stab at European success, so I expect them to be right up for this especially with the first leg at home and they might just nick the advantage.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Fiorentina

Result: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina