Conference League Predictions

Rayo Vallecano – Strasbourg: a clash of styles Madrid is in for a jolt. Vallecas hosts the first leg of the Conference League semi-finals on Thursday night, with Strasbourg the visitors. A straight shot to Leipzig, the final venue at the end of May, is on the line. Tactically, this should be a proper chess…

Shakhtar Donetsk – Crystal Palace: a historic semi-final in Poland Shakhtar Donetsk host Crystal Palace in a first leg moved to Krakow. The stakes could hardly be higher for both sides as they dream of reaching the final in Leipzig at the end of the month. The Ukrainians will look to lean on their strong…

Fiorentina – Crystal Palace : The Stadio Franchi dreams of a famous fightback Thursday night, Florence becomes the centre of the football world for Viola fans. Fiorentina host Crystal Palace with a mountain to climb after the first-leg meltdown. For the Italians, it’s about pride and a sliver of hope. For the London club, it’s…

AEK Athens – Rayo Vallecano : Greek cauldron dreams of a European miracle Thursday night in Athens should be red-hot. AEK Athens host Rayo Vallecano in a second leg that looks a lot like mission impossible. The Greeks need three goals just to drag themselves back into it after completely blowing the first leg. For…

Strasbourg – Mainz: Meinau ready to erupt as Europe calls Thursday night should be a live wire at Stade de la Meinau. Strasbourg host Mainz with a mountain to climb: they need to turn around a two-goal deficit. For both sides, a place in the last four of the Conference League is on the line.…

AZ Alkmaar – Shakhtar Donetsk: the miracle or the end of the European dream AFAS Stadion is gearing up for a night of total chaos. AZ Alkmaar host Shakhtar Donetsk with a mountain to climb: they’re three goals down. For AZ, it’s all or nothing in front of their own fans, while Shakhtar Donetsk will…

Crystal Palace – Fiorentina: a historic night at Selhurst Park On Thursday, Europe’s spotlight swings to London for a Conference League quarter-final with a first-time feel about it. Crystal Palace host Fiorentina in what should be a proper cauldron. For Palace, this is new territory and a big one at that. Fiorentina, meanwhile, know exactly…

Mainz – Strasbourg: a clash of the unbeaten for a place in the last four On Thursday night, the MEWA Arena is set to be rocking for a huge first-leg Conference League quarter-final. Mainz host Racing Club de Strasbourg in a meeting between two sides that haven’t tasted defeat in weeks. For Mainz and Strasbourg…

Shakhtar Donetsk – AZ Alkmaar: quarter-final moved to Poland Cracow’s Synerise Arena is set for a big European night. Shakhtar Donetsk take on AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening. The geopolitical backdrop has forced the tie onto Polish soil. The first leg of this Conference League quarter-final should be fierce from the off. Both sides want…