Conference League Predictions

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…

Rijeka – Strasbourg : un huitième qui sent la poudre en Croatie This Thursday the Stadion HNK Rijeka puts on its best kit. Rijeka welcome RC Strasbourg for the first leg of the Conference League round of 16. Strasbourg sailed through the group stage and grabbed a direct spot; the hosts had to grind through…

Jagiellonia – Fiorentina: Poland up against Italian experience Jagiellonia Bialystok kick off their Conference League knockout tie by hosting Fiorentina on Thursday in Poland. Both sides will try to get an edge before the return in Italy. The winner will face Strasbourg or Rakow Czestochowa next. The contrast is clear: Polish ambition versus Italian European…

Zrinjski Mostar – Crystal Palace: first trip, treacherous ground For Crystal Palace, Europe is no longer a curiosity — it’s an objective. That said, this trip to Bosnia looks anything but straightforward. Bijeli Brijeg is no sightseeing stop: loud, cramped, unpredictable. Exactly the sort of place a European tie can flip on its head. Palace…