Conference League Predictions

Sion vs Ajax: two leaky defences meet Ajax have shipped two goals against Shelbourne on August 13, then two more against Heerenveen on August 16. Four conceded in two games for a club of that size is a bad look. The first leg of this Conference League playoff is on Thursday, August 20, at Stade…

Braga vs Austria Vienne: one goal in 180 minutes, and a place in the tie decided by penalties Braga got through the Conference League third qualifying round with just one goal across the two legs. Dinamo Minsk were edged out 1-0 at home before a 0-0 draw away on 13 August. The first leg of…

Gent vs Hibernian: two hard-earned advances Gent and Hibernian both squeezed through the third qualifying round with exactly the same aggregate score: 2-1. The numbers tell the story. Neither side has been exactly ruthless in front of goal this summer. The Conference League play-off first leg is on Thursday, 20 August at the Planet Group…

Crystal Palace – Rayo Vallecano: a historic European final for both clubs The Conference League final throws up an unlikely showdown between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig. Two clubs not exactly used to nights like this, two runs built on energy and belief, and one huge chance to land the first major European…

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…