Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar predictions and betting tips – Eagles under pressure

Crystal Palace could only manage a 1-1 draw with Zrinjski Mostar in the first leg of this Conference League knockout play-off, leaving the tie in the balance at the midway point.

Will the Premier League side get the win they need at Selhurst Park, or is this the end of the road for the Eagles in Europe?

• Crystal Palace to win by one goal – 15/4 with BoyleSports
• Under 3.5 goals – 8/11 with Midnite
• Jorgen Strand Larsen to score any time – 4/6 with Sky Bet

Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar odds

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

Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar predictions

Crystal Palace fans breathed a collective sigh of relief after their team’s 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. Their manager might have joined them.

It is fair to say the relationship between Oliver Glasner and the supporters who adored him just two short months ago is strained at present.

A downturn in results since December is part of the reason for that, but by no means the main one. The primary cause of Palace fans’ frostiness towards the Austrian is the sense that he would rather be elsewhere.

There was no real reason in the middle of January for Glasner to announce his intention to depart Selhurst Park in the summer, yet that is what he did.

He has since taken regular swipes at the Palace board, before reminding the supporters to be “humble” ahead of the aforementioned win against Wolves.

Early on in that game, a banner went up in the Holmesdale Road end that contained the words: “Fans disrespected – Glasner finished”.

The divide between the terraces and the dugout was thus never going to be healed by a scrappy victory over the Premier League’s worst team, who were down to 10 men by the time Palace finally broke the deadlock in second-half stoppage time.

Even so, the more optimistic members of the Palace fan base will hope that Sunday’s success proves to be a turning point.

Palace are still not playing particularly well, but they have now lost only one of their last five games. 

That run includes a 1-1 draw in the first leg of this Conference League play-off, a poor result for Palace all things considered but one which nevertheless means they only need to win at home against a side that finished 23rd in the league phase to advance to the last 16.

Zrinjski Mostar played well last week. They defended resolutely and probably created the better chances overall. Yet they will be up against it in south London on Thursday.

After scoring the winner against Wolves, Evann Guessand will hope to be handed his first start for Palace, for whom Maxence Lacroix may require a late fitness test after going off in the first leg.

This is a huge night for Palace, whose season essentially comes down to this competition. It is make or break time – which one will the Eagles choose?

Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar betting tips

Crystal Palace and Zrinjski Mostar will battle it out for a place in the last 16 of the Conference League.

Palace struggling for rhythm

Zrinjski Mostar will take heart from the fact that Crystal Palace have struggled against opponents like themselves all season long.

Palace are at their best when they have minimal possession and are facing a team that defends high up the pitch. They are nowhere near as effective against low blocks.

Zrinjski were stubborn opponents in Bosnia last week and they will be the same here.

Palace’s superior individual quality will probably make the difference in the end, especially as Zrinjski are likely to tire as the clock ticks towards 90.

But anyone expecting Palace to blow the visitors away has not watched them much of late.

Crystal Palace to win by one goal at 15/4 with BoyleSports

Goals will not flow

An early goal would do wonders for Crystal Palace’s nerves, but there is every chance Zrinjski Mostar will frustrate them for a significant chunk of this context.

After all, Igor Stimac’s side have already shown they have what it takes to make life difficult for Glasner’s men.

Palace should eventually find a way through their rearguard, but goals are still likely to be on the low end.

In 11 of Palace’s last 13 outings in all competitions, there have been no more than three strikes between them and their opponents.

Under 3.5 goals at 8/11 with Midnite

Strand Larsen to net

Ismaila Sarr scored against Zrinjski Mostar in the first meeting between the two sides, but he was not at his best in the subsequent victory over Wolves. 

Sarr tends to be at his most dangerous when given space to run into, and there will not be much of that available here.

Instead, Palace will lean on Jorgen Strand Larsen’s penalty-box presence. Expect plenty of crosses into the box aimed towards the Norway international.

Strand Larsen recently notched a brace against Burnley. How Palace fans would love to see another one on Thursday.

Jorgen Strand Larsen to score any time at 4/6 with Sky Bet

Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar predicted lineups

• Crystal Palace expected lineup: Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Richards; Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Strand Larsen, Guessand.
• Zrinjski Mostar expected lineup: Karacic; Vranjkovic, Barisic, Dujmovic, Mamic; Djurasek, Savic; Abramovic, Ivancic, Mikic; Cuze.

Where to watch Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Mostar

• Location: Selhurst Park, London, England.
• Date and time: Thursday 26th February, 8pm.
• 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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