2025-26 UECL Semi-Finals: First Leg – Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace

Shakhtar Donetsk face Crystal Palace in the first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Conference League semi-final. 

Shakhtar Donetsk saw off AZ Alkmaar in their Quarter-Final tie to qualify for this stage, whilst Palace fought off Fiorentina’s second-leg comeback to secure their first semi-final appearance in this competition.

 

Team News

Shakhtar Donetsk have no fresh injury concerns to report but manager, Arda Turan could recall several regulars who were rested in their 3-1 victory at Kudrivka in Ukraine’s Premier League last Sunday (26 April).

Palace could have defender, Tyrick Mitchell available after he shook off a minor Achilles injury, which had seen him substituted during their 3-1 loss at Liverpool last Saturday (25 April) in the Premier League.

Evann Guessand, Cheick Doucoure (both knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Shakhtar Donetsk face Palace at Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium, Krakow, Poland, on Thursday 30 April at 9pm CEST (8pm BST), live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.

The reason behind Shakhtar Donetsk’s home leg being played in Krakow is down to an UEFA ban on them playing at home in Donetsk due to Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Shakhtar Donetsk’s first meeting against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Crystal Palace are facing Ukrainian opposition away for the second time this season, having beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 in their League Phase opener in October 2025.
• Alisson has scored three goals in his last two Europa League appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk (W1, D1).
• Palace’s four away goals in the knockout stages have been scored by Ismaila Sarr (W1, D1, L1).

 

Prediction

Given their European pedigree and experience, Shakhtar Donetsk can’t be underestimated given how they dismantled AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Quarter-Final tie, but they have kept just one clean sheet in the knockout stages which will give Palace some belief.

Oliver Glasner’s Eagles though can afford to primarily focus on this tie now that European qualification via the Premier League looks unlikely, yet they must be more clinical than they were at Liverpool where they were more dominant but lacked the finishing touches.

This stage though can bring different pressures to before being so close to the final but with Glasner in charge, I fancy Palace to get the tie back to Selhurst Park still in the balance.

Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Crystal Palace