The second leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final between Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk promises to be a thrilling encounter. After a 3-1 away victory in the first leg, Palace return to Selhurst Park with a two-goal advantage and the confidence of being one step away from a historic European final. The winner of this tie will face either Strasbourg or Rayo Vallecano in the final, adding further motivation for both sides to deliver their best performance on Thursday, May 7.

Crystal Palace’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Crystal Palace approach this decisive clash with a solid record in the Europa Conference League. Their campaign so far includes 7 wins, 5 draws, and 3 defeats, averaging 1.5 goals scored and 0.7 conceded per match. The Eagles have shown remarkable consistency in the first halves of their games, having avoided defeat before halftime in their last 15 matches in the competition and leading at the break in 9 of their last 11.

Despite a recent 3-0 loss to AFC Bournemouth in domestic competition, Palace remain strong at home. They are unbeaten in their last seven home matches, keeping six clean sheets during that run. However, their attack has occasionally faltered, failing to score in three of their last five home fixtures. This suggests that while their defense is reliable, their offensive rhythm may depend heavily on key individuals.

Among those, Jean-Philippe Mateta stands out as a potential game-changer. The French forward has scored his last nine goals at Selhurst Park and was involved in the first-leg victory. Alongside him, Ismaila Sarr—the competition’s top scorer with eight goals—and Jorgen Strand-Larsen form a potent attacking trio capable of punishing any defensive lapse. Palace’s ability to combine defensive discipline with clinical finishing has been the foundation of their European success so far.

• Crystal Palace rank 1st in the Europa Conference League standings.


• They have scored in 70% of their home matches in the competition.


• Under 0.5 goals have been recorded in 4 of their last 10 home games.


• They have conceded only once in their last seven home matches.

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Shakhtar Donetsk travel to London knowing they must win by at least two goals to keep their European dream alive. Their recent form is encouraging: 4 wins and 1 defeat in their last five matches, including a 2-1 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in their domestic league. In the Europa Conference League, they have recorded 6 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses, with an average of 1.7 goals scored and 1.2 conceded per game.

The Ukrainian side have been consistent in attack, having scored in each of their last 15 matches across all competitions. However, their defensive record remains a concern, as they have conceded in most of their recent outings. Interestingly, at least one team has failed to score before halftime in 37 of their last 40 matches, suggesting a cautious approach early in games.

Shakhtar’s strength lies in their Brazilian core. Alisson Santana and Luca Meirelles have each netted three goals in the competition, while Isaque Silva has proven effective on the road, with his last four goals coming away from home. The absence of defender Marlon due to injury could weaken their backline, but the team’s attacking flair ensures they remain a threat. Historically, though, Shakhtar have never overturned a two-goal deficit in European knockout ties, making this a monumental challenge.

• Shakhtar Donetsk rank 2nd in the Europa Conference League standings.


• They have scored in 100% of their last 15 matches.


• Average goals per match: 1.8 scored, 1.2 conceded.


• They have won five of their last seven away matches.

Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk Tactical Overview

This semi-final second leg is expected to be a battle of contrasting styles. Crystal Palace will likely rely on their defensive solidity and quick transitions, while Shakhtar Donetsk are expected to dominate possession and push forward aggressively in search of early goals. Palace’s two-goal cushion allows them to play with patience, absorbing pressure and exploiting spaces on the counterattack through their pacey forwards.

Shakhtar’s challenge will be to maintain attacking intensity without leaving gaps at the back. Their recent scoring consistency suggests they can find the net, but keeping Palace quiet at Selhurst Park will be far more difficult. The visitors’ away form in Europe—unbeaten in their last seven continental trips—adds intrigue to the tie, but they must produce something extraordinary to overturn the deficit.

Given Palace’s defensive record and Shakhtar’s attacking momentum, this match could be tight and tactical, with both teams aware that a single goal could shift the balance dramatically. The first leg’s 3-1 scoreline means Shakhtar must take risks, while Palace can afford to manage the tempo and protect their advantage.

BetMines Prediction

Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction from BetMines: Draw (X) with 27% probability.

While Palace’s home form and defensive resilience make them favorites to progress, Shakhtar’s attacking persistence could earn them a share of the spoils on the night. A draw would be enough for the English side to advance to the final, marking another milestone in their remarkable European journey.