Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

Shelbourne are struggling near the bottom of the table and will be under pressure to record their first win to revive their hope of staying in the competition for the next round. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, sits in 18th place, just two points away from automatic qualification. 

Crystal Palace head into this European tie on the back of strong domestic form, having secured back-to-back Premier League wins, including a dramatic 2-1 victory away at Fulham on Sunday. 

Oliver Glasner’s side has climbed into the top half of the table, and they will be hoping to carry that form into Europe. However, their Conference League campaign has been a mixed bag so far, with two wins and two losses. The Eagles will be determined to build on their domestic success and push closer to qualification.

Shelbourne, on the other hand, is facing a tough first season in European competition. They currently sit 34th in the league phase standings with just one point from four games. 

Worryingly, they are the only team yet to score in the tournament, having suffered narrow defeats to AZ Alkmaar and Drita in their last two outings. Joey O'Brien’s men will need to dig deep at both ends of the pitch if they are to pull off a shock result and keep their slim hopes of progressing alive.

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Thursday’s clash marks the first time Shelbourne and Crystal Palace will face each other in a competitive match. With no previous encounters between the two sides, the teams will face each other with uncertainty, even though the odds are in favour of the English side. 

Shelbourne are likely to be without their first-choice goalkeeper, Conor Kearns, for this crucial tie. Wessel Speel, who has stepped in during their Conference League campaign, is expected to keep his place in goal. Midfielder Kerr McInroy and forward Harry Wood will be central to their efforts to finally get on the scoresheet and spark a much-needed turnaround in attack.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner may make a few changes to his lineup, with fixture congestion a growing concern. The Eagles are set to be without Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr, two important players who contribute heavily at both ends of the pitch. 

Nathaniel Clyne could slot in at full back, while Jean-Philippe Mateta will likely lead the line as he looks to open his Conference League account. Marc Guehi, who netted the winner against Fulham, is expected to anchor the defence once again.

Shelbourne (5-3-2): Speel; Mbeng, Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris, Kelly; Henry-Francis, Lunney, McInroy; Wood, Odubeko

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa; Devenny, Pino; Nketiah

Shelbourne are still searching for their first goal in the competition, and coming up against a confident Crystal Palace side riding high from back-to-back Premier League wins will not make that task any easier. 

Although the Eagles may have had a bumpy ride in Europe so far, they still have the edge coming into this fixture. Bettors can stake on the English club to win this match, and you can place this bet on Livescorebet. 

Prediction: Shelbourne 0-2 Crystal Palace

• Bet on Crystal Palace to win.

• Over 1.5 goals

• Over 8.5 corners