AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace predictions and betting tips – Eagles have work to do

Crystal Palace were frustrated by AEK Larnaca last time out, with the Cypriot side leaving Selhurst Park with a 0-0 draw. Palace now need to win the second leg one way or another.

Will Oliver Glasner’s side get the job done in this Conference League last-16 tie, or can AEK Larnaca pull off an upset against the FA Cup holders?

• Crystal Palace to win and under 2.5 goals – 6/4 with Sky Bet
• Crystal Palace clean sheet – 11/10 with Tote
• Evann Guessand to score any time – 7/4 with SBK

AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace odds

Find the latest AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace predictions

This could yet be one of the most successful seasons in Crystal Palace’s history, but it does not feel that way at the moment.

The Eagles claimed their first ever major trophy when they won the FA Cup last season. They followed that up with victory in the Community Shield back in August.

Now Palace have a third piece of silverware in their sights. They have long been the favourites to win the Conference League, essentially because they are the Premier League’s representatives.

But while Oliver Glasner’s team are still in contention for the trophy, this does not look like a Palace outfit on the cusp of achieving something special.

The side from Selhurst Park have well and truly run out of steam. Since the middle of December, only Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur have collected fewer points in the Premier League.

Palace have also exited the EFL Cup and the FA Cup in that time, while they have not been convincing in the Conference League for a while.

Glasner’s side eventually found their way past Zrinjski Mostar in the knockout phase play-offs, winning 3-1 on aggregate. But it was far from plain sailing for Palace in either leg.

More frustration followed last week, when AEK Larnaca visited Selhurst Park for the first instalment of their last-16 tie.

Given Larnaca won 1-0 at Selhurst in the league phase, a 0-0 draw this time around marked an improvement for Palace. Not so in terms of performance, though, as Palace huffed and puffed with little success against a low defensive block.

The same issue reared its head again on Sunday afternoon, when Palace did not manage a single shot on target against Leeds United despite the fact their opponents had to play a whole half with 10 men.

Glasner achieved great things in south London last season, but the fact that Palace have not shown any signs of improvement in matches when they are forced to dominate possession does not reflect well on the manager.

Despite the gap in talent between themselves and Palace, AEK Larnaca will feel they now have a genuine shot at reaching the last eight of the competition. 

One thing is for sure: Larnaca are getting more out of the players at their disposal than Palace are right now.

AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace betting tips

Crystal Palace need a positive result on Thursday to advance to the last eight of the Conference League.

Palace to find a way

“We understand we are the underdog, so, for us, it was a game to sacrifice, to be low and hope to have some counter-attacks or set-pieces,” AEK Laranaca goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic said last week. 

“Everyone knows defending low with a [back] five makes it very difficult to create chances. That was the plan. We are happy with the result, and we’ll see what happens in Cyprus.”

Larnaca did an excellent job at shutting Crystal Palace down in the first leg, and they have still only conceded one goal all tournament.

But at some point on Thursday, they will have to come out and take a few more risks. That will play into the hands of Palace, who can eke out a victory in Cyprus.

Back Crystal Palace to win and under 2.5 goals at 6/4 with Sky Bet

Shut-out for Eagles?

AEK Larnaca are a supremely good defensive team at this level, but it is worth noting that their seven games up to now have produced only seven goals.

Four of those strikes came in one match, and Larnaca have failed to score against Palace, Aberdeen and Rijeka.

The Eagles are not as defensively secure as they were when Marc Guehi was a fixture of their backline, but they barely gave Larnaca a sniff in the first leg.

A clean sheet for Glasner’s charges is on the cards when they head to Cyprus.

Tip a Crystal Palace clean sheet at 11/10 with Tote

Guessand to find net

Crystal Palace signed Jorgen Strand Larsen, Evann Guessand and Brennan Johnson in January, but none of the trio has particularly hit the ground running.

Johnson has struggled both in the front three and at wing-back, while Strand Larsen and Guessand have at least shown a few flashes of quality.

The latter is our pick to find the back of the net on Thursday. He has the quick feet and dribbling ability that could be crucial to unlocking the Larnaca backline.

Guessand struck against Zrinjski Mostar in the last round and he can do so again here.

Go for Evann Guessand to score any time at 7/4 with SBK

AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups

• AEK Larnaca expected lineup: Alomerovic; Ioannou, Ekpolo, Milicevic, Saborit, Garcia; Rohden, Ledes, Pons, Ivanovic; Bajic.
• Crystal Palace expected lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvas; Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Strand Larsen, Guessand.

Where to watch AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace

• Location: AEK Arena, Larnaca, Cyprus.
• Date and time: Thursday 19th March, 5.45pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 3.

More Conference League predictions

We have plenty more Conference League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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