Preview, team news, head to head, probable line ups, tactical analysis and where to watch Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace in Thursday’s Conference League semi-final first leg
Kraków is set to host Thursday’s clash between Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace in the first leg of the Conference League semi-finals. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 local time (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT) at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium.
This fixture represents a monumental milestone for the South London club, marking their first-ever appearance in a major European semi-final. For the Miners, it is yet another chapter in their rich continental history as they look to secure an advantage to take back to Selhurst Park next week.
Shakhtar Donetsk enter the tie in formidable form, sitting atop the Ukrainian Premier League following a 3-1 away victory over FC Kudrivka on Sunday.
Their journey to the semi-finals was punctuated by a dominant 5-2 aggregate victory over AZ Alkmaar, including a 3-0 home win in Kraków. Palace have balanced their Premier League campaign with a fairytale run in Europe, having dismantled Fiorentina 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.
Team news & injury updates
Shakhtar Donetsk
Marino Pušić has a relatively deep squad to choose from, having heavily rotated during their recent domestic outings to ensure their primary creative outlets remain fresh. For the time being, the club has reported no fresh major injury concerns following the weekend win, allowing Pušić to field his strongest continental XI.
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner has been handed a significant boost with the return of Adam Wharton, who successfully reintegrated into the squad during the weekend clash with Liverpool.
However, the Eagles are still navigating the absence of Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand, both of whom remain sidelined with persistent injuries. Cheick Doucouré continues his long-term recovery and has yet to feature this season. Meanwhile, Tyrick Mitchell is expected to be fit despite nursing an injury issue.
Suggested Articles
Head-to-head (H2H) record
This semi-final marks the first-ever competitive meeting between Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace. While Shakhtar are seasoned European veterans with a UEFA Cup title in their trophy cabinet, Palace are making their debut in the semi-finals of a UEFA competition, making this a truly historic encounter for the visiting supporters.
Upcoming semi-final fixtures:
- 30/04/2026: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace (Henryk Reyman Stadium)
- 07/05/2026: Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk (Selhurst Park)
Probable line-ups
| Position | Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted XI | Crystal Palace Predicted XI |
| Goalkeeper | Riznyk | Henderson |
| Defence | Tobias, Bondar, Matviyenko, Henrique | Muñoz, Lacroix, Richards, Canvot, Mitchell |
| Midfield | Nazaryna, Ocheretko, Isaque | Wharton, Kamada |
| Attack | Alisson, Elias, Palmares | Sarr, Mateta, Pino |
Tactical Analysis: How the game will be won
The battle: Midfield quality vs. Premier League intensity
Shakhtar excel at ball retention in their bid to dictate the tempo of the game. Crystal Palace employ a high-intensity pressing system designed to force turnovers in dangerous areas. If Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada can disrupt Shakhtar’s rhythm, Palace can transition quickly into their explosive front three.
Yet, if Shakhtar bypass the press, they will find space behind the Palace wing-backs to isolate the central defenders.
Manager Insight: Neutralising the transitional threat
Pušić will likely instruct his defence to focus on preventing Jean-Philippe Mateta from exploiting space on the counter. Meanwhile, Glasner’s strategy involves using Ismaïla Sarr’s individual brilliance to draw defenders out of position, creating the gaps needed for Palace to secure a vital away goal.
Where to watch Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace
In the United Kingdom, fans can follow the action live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage beginning at 19:30 BST ahead of the 20:00 kickoff. For supporters in the United States, the game will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and ViX, with kick-off at 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT.
Market insights & probability
According to recent market data, the first leg is tightly balanced with Shakhtar Donetsk holding a slight edge as the hosts with a 39% win probability. Crystal Palace are valued at a 32% chance of taking a lead back to London, while the draw is priced at 29%.
Market sentiment suggests a high probability of both teams finding the net, reflecting Palace’s consistent scoring record in their European away fixtures this season.