Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk – Free Football Prediction and Picks – Conference League – May 7, 2026

Crystal Palace – Shakhtar Donetsk : history is within reach

Selhurst Park is primed to shake. Crystal Palace host Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of this semi-final. A convincing away win in Ukraine has left them with a handy cushion. Palace are now staring at their first continental final. The buzz in south London is building fast ahead of a huge night.

Oliver Glasner’s relentless ambition

Europe has dictated the Austrian boss’s season run-in. The XI he picked in the first leg showed just how determined he was to get through. Ismaila Sarr sits top of the scoring charts with eight goals. Palace’s back line has been suffocating visitors at home. Three straight European games on this ground, three clean sheets. The thrashing by Bournemouth on Sunday was a sharp reminder that focus has to be absolute.

The Ukrainians’ long-shot hope

The visitors arrive needing something close to a miracle. Arda Turan is cruising through the domestic league. A 10-point lead over Dynamo Kiev has made for a calm finish back home. But the defensive leaks are a major concern heading into this one. Just one clean sheet in their last seven outings. History is against them too whenever English sides are involved. Their last win over a British club came in autumn 2017. Ukraine’s back line could be under siege from the first whistle.

Likely line-ups

Crystal Palace : Henderson ; Canvot, Richards ; Lacroix ; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell ; Sarr, Mateta, Pino

Shakhtar Donetsk : Riznyk ; Tobias, Bondar, Matvienko, Henrique ; Ocheretko, Gomes, Pedrinho ; Alisson, Elias, Eguinaldo

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Football Prediction Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Crystal Palace to win

The psychological and tactical edge is clearly with the home side. British discipline should crush Ukraine’s fragile hopes.

Palace’s attack should feast on the space left by an opponent forced out of shape. The scoreboard should confirm a historic night for the home side at full time.

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