Guide to Crystal Palace ‘s showdown against Rayo Vallecano in the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League Final.
Victory would see Palace or Rayo Vallecano claim their first major European title, with this showpiece marking the first European final to feature both clubs.
This match also marks Oliver Glasner’s last match in charge of Palace ahead of his departure at the end of his contract in June.
Team News
Adam Wharton is a doubt for Palace after he suffered a minor ankle injury in their 2-1 loss at home to Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season.
Chris Richards (ankle) is also a doubt but Borna Sosa (fitness) is available for selection.
Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) remain sidelined but have travelled with the squad for the final.
Rayo Vallecano could be without Ilias Akhomach due to an adductor injury which has kept him out of their last four matches.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace face Rayo Vallecano at Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany, on Wednesday 27 May at 9pm CEST (8pm BST), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Palace’s first competitive meeting against Rayo Vallecano in all competitions.
- Rayo Vallecano are facing English competition for the first time in all UEFA competitions
- Ismaila Sarr has scored six goals in Palace’s last five knockout matches within this competition (W4, L1).
- Rayo Vallecano have kept four clean sheets in six knockout matches of this season’s competition (W4, L2).
Prediction
With all eyes on this final, it was understandable that Palace let Arsenal dominate their meeting but they didn’t totally roll over and limited the wasteful Gunners to two clinical goals, which is a positive morale wise especially after they nicked a late goal and had an equaliser chalked off in injury time.
Rayo Vallecano meanwhile can’t be written off because they are a strong attacking team and their current manager, Inigo Perez has built on the work of their ex boss – Andoni Iraola who recently left Bournemouth, with the latter having proved difficult for Glasner’s Eagles this season.
Palace therefore will need to bring more tactical adaptability and creativity because if Rayo Vallecano produce the same type of performance as Bournemouth, I think that they’re going to be in trouble if not careful after their 3-3 draw and 3-0 defeat against Iraola’s Cherries this season.
I however do think that Palace will find a way to use the motivation of this being Glasner’s last match to take the win, but it might not be as easy as some might think.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
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