Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace predictions and betting tips – Glasner’s side face tricky test

Apr 30, 2026 - 06:30

Crystal Palace are the favourites to win the Conference League, but it will not be easy for them to overcome Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian outfit are used to playing in Europe, whereas it is a new experience for Palace.

Will the Premier League outfit pick up a positive result in Krakow, or can Shakhtar emerge triumphant in the first leg?

Shakhtar Donetsk or draw – 4/5 with Midnite
Under 2.5 goals – 8/11 with Betfred
Ismaila Sarr to score any time – 12/5 with SBK

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace head to head overview

Date: Thursday 30th April.
Kick-off: 8pm.
Venue: Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium, Krakow, Poland.
Where to watch: TNT Sports 2.
Referee: TBC.
VAR: Yes.
Last meeting: Never played before.
Last 10 matches: Shakhtar Donetsk – 0 wins; Crystal Palace – 0 wins; Draws – 0.
Favourite to win: Crystal Palace.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups

Shakhtar Donetsk expected lineup: Rizynk; Tobias, Bondar, Matviyenko, Henrique; Bondarenko, Nazaryna, Isaque; Santana, Elias, Newerton.
Crystal Palace expected lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Pino.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace predictions

Ever since they were demoted to the Conference League via the courts last summer, Crystal Palace have been the favourites to win the tournament.

But despite being widely fancied to lift the trophy, the Eagles have not had everything their own way in Europe this term.

Oliver Glasner’s side missed out on a top-eight finish in the league phase after losing to Strasbourg and AEK Larnaca, and drawing with KuPS.

That condemned Palace to the knockout phase play-offs, where they were not entirely convincing in a 3-1 aggregate victory over Zrinjski Mostar. Palace then needed extra time to see off Larnaca in the round of 16.

However, Glasner’s team were much improved in the quarters, where they beat Fiorentina 4-2 over two legs. Against opponents that did not sit deep and instead tried to challenge them, Palace did the business.

Glasner will hope for more of the same against Shakhtar Donetsk, but the Ukrainian outfit should not be underestimated.

Shakhtar, who will celebrate their 90th anniversary next month, are on course to win their domestic league title this term, but bringing the Conference League trophy to Ukraine is their principal objective.

Much has changed for Shakhtar since they won the Europa League (then the UEFA Cup) in 2008/09, beating Werder Bremen 2-1 in the final, but they have been regulars on the continental stage since then.

Arda Turan, the former Atletico Madrid and Barcelona player who is now Shakhtar’s manager, will hope that experience counts for something.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace betting tips

Shakhtar Donetsk take on Crystal Palace in Krakow – who will come out on top?

Palace may need Selhurst

Crystal Palace deserve to be favourites to advance from this two-legged tie, but you can find attractive odds on Shakhtar Donetsk avoiding defeat in the first instalment of the semi-final.

Arda Turan’s team have been forced to play their European matches in Krakow, so they do not have home advantage in the traditional sense.

Neither do Crystal Palace, though, and Glasner should not be too disappointed with a draw if that is what his side gets on Thursday.

Shakhtar are a bright, lively side with some promising young players in their ranks, most of whom are Brazilian. They will give Palace something to think about in this one.

Back Shakhtar Donetsk to win or draw at 4/5 with Midnite

Expect tight first leg

Shakhtar Donetsk beat AZ 5-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, while Crystal Palace triumphed 4-2 on aggregate over Fiorentina.

All four matches in the last eight involving either Shakhtar or Palace featured over 2.5 goals, but we anticipate a tighter affair here.

For one, Shakhtar and Palace are both more solid defensively than AZ and Fiorentina. Secondly, the stakes are even higher now we have reached the semi-final stage of the tournament.

Thursday’s encounter will probably be nip and tuck, with both teams wary of taking risks with A second leg still to come.

Tip under 2.5 goals at 8/11 with Betfred

Sarr to shine again

Although we recommend backing against a Crystal Palace win on Thursday, Ismaila Sarr is probably the best choice in the anytime scorer market.

Sarr has been in excellent form since returning to south London following the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

The Senegal international has scored 20 goals for club and country this season, half of which have come since the beginning of February.

Only two players, both of whose teams have been eliminated, have outscored Sarr in the 2025/26 Conference League. The former Watford and Marseille fan will no doubt have an influence on this semi-final.

Go for Ismaila Sarr to score any time 12/5 with SBK

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace latest odds

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

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.

Important historical facts about Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace for betting

On a per game basis, only Manchester City have a better first-half record in Premier League away matches than Crystal Palace.

Shakhtar Donetsk have previously faced six English teams in continental competition: Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. This is Shakhtar Donetsk’s fourth European semi-final and Crystal Palace’s first.

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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