Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace predictions and betting tips – Eagles resume continental campaign

Crystal Palace could not quite manage a top-eight finish in the Conference League league phase, forcing them into the two-legged knockout play-offs this month. Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia & Herzegovina are their opponents. 

Palace are in poor form on all fronts, but will they get the job done in the away leg? Or can Zrinjski spring a surprise?

• Crystal Palace to win to nil – evens with 247Bet
• Crystal Palace to win the first half – 17/20 with Midnite
• Jorgen Strand Larsen to score any time – 10/11 with Tote

Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace odds

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

Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace predictions

It was supposed to be a turning point.

When Crystal Palace beat their arch-rivals Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 the weekend before last, their fans hoped it would mark the beginning of a new phase of their season.

The January transfer window had closed, new signings Jorgen Strand Larsen and Evann Guessand were available for selection, and the defeat of Brighton had eased Palace’s relegation worries.

When Oliver Glasner’s team then stormed into a 2-0 lead against Burnley a few days later, the sense that Palace were a force again was only strengthened.

But things are seldom so simple at Selhurst Park. That 2-0 advantage soon turned into a 3-2 deficit as Burnley mounted an extraordinary comeback. 

Despite being two goals ahead with 39 minutes on the clock, Palace could not even make it to half-time with the score level.

That loss to a team that will surely be relegated was a huge blow. A victory would have kept spirits high going into this clash with Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League.

Instead, uncertainty lingers. The players and the supporters know that Glasner will be gone in the summer after the manager needlessly revealed it in January.

Elements of his criticism of the club’s hierarchy after a defeat by Sunderland were valid, but the way Glasner went about things did not go down well with the Selhurst Park faithful. Some fans are now wondering whether Palace might benefit from a managerial change before the summer is out. 

Despite the collapse of their league form, the Eagles are unlikely to be demoted this season. Two wins and a couple of draws from their remaining 12 matches should be enough.

The success or otherwise of their campaign rests on how Palace do in the Conference League. They underperformed expectations in the league phase, finishing outside the top eight and forcing them into the play-offs.

It is not unthinkable that a defeat by Zrinjski Mostar could bring Glasner’s tenure to an end. On the other hand, a convincing victory in Bosnia & Herzegovina would lift the mood again, especially if Palace are able to build on it by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this weekend.

This is Palace’s first ever season in Europe and it could be their last for some time unless they win the Conference League. Incentives do not come much bigger than that.

Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace betting tips

Can Crystal Palace claim a first-leg advantage against Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League play-offs?

Palace should do job

It is fair to say Crystal Palace encountered a few difficulties in the league phase.

Their 2-1 defeat by Strasbourg was a nip-and-tuck game, but against AEK Larnaca (2-1 home loss) and KuPS (2-2 home draw) Palace struggled to break down low defensive blocks, as they also did against Fredrikstad in the qualifying play-offs.

That could be an issue again here. Palace are better suited to teams that come out and play. Zrinjski Mostar will know that.

However, the fact this is a two-legged tie rather than a one-off game should play into Palace’s hands. Zrinjski will feel they need to take advantage of their home leg, so they cannot afford to be too cautious.

If Palace keep things tight at the back, they should have enough to win.

Crystal Palace to win to nil at evens with 247Bet

Visitors seek fast start

Glasner felt Crystal Palace were guilty of complacency against Burnley, but he must have been pleased with the way his team started the match.

Palace have generally been good in the first half of games this season. Only six Premier League teams have better records from minutes one to 45.

The longer this match stays at 0-0, the nervier Palace will get – even with a second match still to play.

As such, Glasner will be keen to see his side assert their dominance in the opening period. A lead at half-time would make Palace’s task much easier.

Crystal Palace to win the first half at 17/20 with Midnite

Strand Larsen to find net

Jorgen Strand Larsen’s performance was perhaps the only positive to come out of the loss to Burnley.

Crystal Palace’s record signing scored twice to put Crystal Palace to what many assumed was an unassailable position.

With Jean-Philippe Mateta not yet ready to return to the fold, Strand Larsen will start up front again on Thursday.

His physicality and movement will be an issue for Zrinjski Mostar, and we like his chances of making the net ripple once more.

Jorgen Strand Larsen to score any time at 10/11 with Tote

Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups

• Zrinjski Mostar expected lineup: Karacic; Vranjkovic, Savic, Barisic, Mamic; Lagumdzija, Durasek; Mikic, Nalic, Cuze; Majic.
• Crystal Palace expected lineup: Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Richards; Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Strand Larsen, Pino.

Where to watch Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace

• Location: Stadion pod Bijelim Brijegom, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
• Date and time: Thursday 19th February, 5.45pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 1

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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