Crystal Palace will be keen to keep their European fairytale going when they take on AEK Larnaca on Thursday.

Selhurst Park will host a historic European night on Thursday as Crystal Palace welcome AEK Larnaca in a UEFA Conference League League Phase clash. Both teams began their continental campaigns with convincing wins and now aim to maintain their perfect start in Group E.

Crystal Palace enter this fixture against AEK Larnaca on the back of a thrilling 3-3 Premier League draw with Bournemouth, a match defined by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s hat-trick heroics. The French striker, fresh from netting his first international goal for France, almost completed a fairy-tale night with a late fourth goal, only to see his effort denied deep into stoppage time.

Despite surrendering defensive control at times, Oliver Glasner’s men extended their impressive home record, unbeaten at Selhurst Park since February 15, a run that now stands at 13 games in all competitions (W8 D5).

Their European adventure began in style three weeks ago when the Eagles secured a 2-0 away victory over Dynamo Kyiv, marking their maiden win in the League Phase of the Conference League. The triumph also made them only the second London-based club south of the Thames to win a UEFA fixture, following in Millwall’s brief European footsteps.

For Glasner, whose long-term future remains the subject of quiet speculation, this match represents more than just three points, it is a chance to embed Palace’s identity on the European stage. The Austrian tactician has overseen a progressive transformation in South London, with a balance of structured pressing and vertical attacking play that has redefined the team’s approach.

Their opponents, AEK Larnaca, arrive in fine domestic form. The Cypriot outfit sit fifth in the Cypriot First Division after seven matches, following a comfortable 2-0 win over Paralimni last weekend. Under the guidance of Spanish manager Imanol Idiakez, Larnaca have become one of the most enterprising sides in Cyprus, scoring 15 goals in their last five matches across all competitions.

Their 4-0 demolition of AZ Alkmaar on Matchday 1 turned heads across Europe, as it was their biggest continental win outside of qualifying rounds. Yet, their Achilles heel has been away form. Larnaca have failed to win in four consecutive European away fixtures this season (D1 L3), and a trip to Selhurst Park, a venue known for its intensity and tight atmosphere, presents their toughest challenge yet.

Crystal Palace will look to leverage that energy against AEK Larnaca, with Glasner’s well-drilled side hungry to record a second successive European victory and move closer to securing early qualification from the League Phase. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace will enter their historic European home debut with a few absentees to manage. Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad both remain sidelined with knee injuries, while young defender Caleb Kporha continues his recovery from a back problem. These long-term issues leave Oliver Glasner slightly short of defensive depth. In addition, Naouirou Ahamada is ineligible for selection after being omitted from Palace’s European squad list.

The Austrian head coach is expected to make several rotations from the side that drew 3-3 with Bournemouth at the weekend. However, his options at wing-back are limited, Tyrick Mitchell may have to retain his spot on the left flank because Borna Sosa is suspended following his red card in the win over Dynamo Kiev. Glasner will likely rest key regulars such as Daniel Muñoz, Adam Wharton, Ismaïla Sarr, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, instead turning to a blend of experience and youthful energy to maintain freshness for upcoming domestic fixtures.

In goal, Dean Henderson should continue as the starting goalkeeper, providing composure and distribution from the back. The defensive trio will consist of Nathaniel Clyne, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guehi, with Clyne’s experience balancing Lacroix’s aggression and Guehi’s leadership in the central channel.

Across midfield, Romain Esse and Tyrick Mitchell will operate as the wing-backs, offering pace and width down the flanks. In the centre, Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes are expected to form a solid pairing, combining Lerma’s ball-winning strength with Hughes’s control and passing intelligence.

Further ahead, Daichi Kamada and Justin Devenny are likely to play as the advanced attacking midfielders, both capable of drifting between lines and providing support in transition. Leading the line will be Eddie Nketiah, who is pushing for a start after a series of substitute appearances. The English striker’s pace, pressing, and poacher’s instincts could be vital for Crystal Palace in exploiting Larnaca’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Clyne, Lacroix, Guehi; Esse, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Kamada, Devenny; Nketiah

AEK Larnaca

Larnaca make the trip to London with several important players missing through injury. Starting goalkeeper Kewin Komar is still unavailable after suffering a broken hand earlier in the season and is yet to make a single appearance this term. His continued absence means Zlatan Alomerovic will once again start between the posts, providing stability and leadership from the back.

In attack, head coach Imanol Idiakez is dealing with a double setback, as both Enzo Cabrera and Karol Angielski remain sidelined. Cabrera, who picked up a knee injury in training, and Angielski, out with a muscle strain, have combined for five goals so far this season, a loss that reduces Larnaca’s cutting edge in the final third. Additionally, left-back Angel Garcia is ruled out with a muscle tear, further limiting options in defence.

Despite these injuries, the Cypriot outfit have maintained strong domestic form, and Idiakez will likely field his team in a 4-3-3 formation built on disciplined defensive organisation and quick counter-attacks. Between the sticks, Zlatan Alomerovic will continue as the first-choice goalkeeper. The back four will consist of Godswill Ekpolo at right-back, Hrvoje Milicevic and Valentin Roberge forming the central defensive partnership, and Jeremie Gnali operating as the left-back in place of the injured Garcia. Milicevic, who has scored five penalties this season, brings aerial strength and composure to the backline.

In midfield, Marcus Rohden may push forward into a holding role, partnering Gustavo Ledes and Pere Pons, who will focus on controlling the tempo and disrupting Crystal Palace’s rhythm. This trio will aim to close passing lanes and limit space for Palace’s creative players such as Daichi Kamada and Justin Devenny.

Up front, Riad Bajic is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by Waldo Rubio on the right and Yerson Chacon on the left. Rubio’s direct running and Chacon’s pace on the counter could be crucial as Larnaca look to exploit transitions and set pieces to threaten the Palace defence.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alomerovic; Ekpolo, Milicevic, Roberge, Gnali; Rohden, Gustavo, Pons; Rubio, Bajic, Chacon

Key Stats

• This fixture marks Crystal Palace’s first-ever European home game in their 118-year history. It is also only the third UEFA men’s club competition match ever played south of the River Thames in London, following Palace’s 1998 Intertoto Cup tie and Millwall’s 2004 UEFA Cup appearance.

• The Eagles are unbeaten in their last 13 home matches across all competitions (W8 D5). During this run, they have scored 27 goals and conceded only 11, showing their strength under Oliver Glasner when playing in front of their home crowd.

• French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored six goals in his last four appearances for club and country, including a hat-trick against Bournemouth in the Premier League and his first international goal for France. He has also been directly involved in 10 goals in his past nine starts for Crystal Palace.

• Larnaca have failed to win any of their last four away matches in European competition this season (D1 L3, including qualifiers). During that run, they have conceded 10 goals while scoring just three, highlighting their vulnerability outside Cyprus.

• Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner boasts an impressive personal record in European competition. Across spells with Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, and now Palace, he has lost only three of his last 17 European matches, guiding Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022.

• Larnaca have a poor record against English teams, losing all three of their previous encounters, twice to West Ham United (aggregate 6-0 in 2022/23) and once to Tottenham in 2011.

Player to Watch

Jean-Phillipe Mateta

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Few players in the Premier League are enjoying a more productive spell than Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has blossomed into the talisman of Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace side. The French striker has transformed his reputation over the past year, once viewed as an inconsistent finisher, he is now the focal point of Palace’s attack, combining physicality, work rate, and a ruthless eye for goal.

Mateta’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular. Fresh from scoring his first international goal for France, he returned to club duty with a sensational hat-trick against Bournemouth, becoming only the second Crystal Palace player in the Premier League era to net three times in a single home match. His blend of power and precision was on full display, and his movement inside the box caused chaos throughout.

What truly sets Mateta apart this season, though, is his growing confidence and maturity under Glasner’s system. Operating as the tip of Palace’s flexible 3-4-2-1 structure, he thrives on quick service from wide areas and intelligent link-up play with creative midfielders like Daichi Kamada. His ability to hold off defenders, bring others into play, and time his runs has turned Palace’s attack into a far more dynamic unit.

In Europe, Mateta’s physical presence will be crucial. Against AEK Larnaca’s compact backline, his aerial threat and clinical finishing inside the penalty area could prove decisive. Palace’s delivery from wing-backs and set pieces often finds him as the intended target, and given his current confidence, he is expected to lead the line with purpose and poise.

Although he is expected to come off the bench, if Mateta continues his red-hot streak, Selhurst Park could witness another memorable night, one that cements the Frenchman’s status not just as Palace’s key man, but as one of Europe’s most in-form forwards.

Prediction

Crystal Palace 3-0 AEK Larnaca

Crystal Palace step into this fixture as clear favourites, buoyed by their impressive home form and the electric atmosphere expected for their first-ever European home match. Oliver Glasner’s men have built Selhurst Park into a genuine fortress, combining high-tempo pressing with sharp transitions and clinical finishing, a formula that should serve them well against AEK Larnaca’s more compact, counter-attacking setup.

The Eagles’ confidence will be sky-high after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s recent scoring exploits, and with depth across midfield and attack, even a rotated side looks capable of overwhelming the visitors. Players like Eddie Nketiah and Daichi Kamada bring energy and creativity, while Glasner’s structure ensures defensive stability despite several absentees.

For AEK Larnaca, the task is daunting. The Cypriot outfit have struggled away from home in Europe, losing three of their last four matches on the road. Their injury problems. particularly in attack, with Enzo Cabrera and Karol Angielski sidelined, further weaken their threat in the final third. While they will aim to frustrate Palace and hit on the counter through Yerson Chacon and Waldo Rubio, sustaining that approach for 90 minutes against an in-form Premier League side is a tall order.

Crystal Palace’s relentless pressing and aerial dominance should eventually wear the visitors down, and with Mateta or Nketiah leading the line, goals are almost inevitable. Expect the Eagles to control possession, dictate the tempo, and deliver another memorable European performance in front of their home supporters.