Crystal Palace vs KuPS prediction, H2H and probable lineups – 18 November 2025
One of the fixtures of Matchday 6 in the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League group stage will unfold on Thursday at Selhurst Park in London, where the local side Crystal Palace will host Finnish champions KuPS. Here’s my take on this intriguing clash, featuring a bet with strong potential for success.
Match preview
Crystal Palace have been enjoying a solid season overall, even if the occasional setback has crept in. That was the case in their most recent Premier League outing, where the Eagles fell 0-3 to Manchester City. Still, this defeat hasn’t dealt a heavy blow: the club remains firmly entrenched in the Premier League’s top five, so it’s unlikely to significantly dent their confidence or mood.
In the Conference League, Palace have shown inconsistency, alternating wins and losses. They opened with a victory over Dynamo Kyiv (2-0), then slipped up against AEK Larnaca (0-1). That was followed by a win over Dutch side AZ, a defeat to France’s Strasbourg (1-2), and, most recently, a convincing 3-0 triumph over Ireland’s Shelbourne. These results keep Palace in the hunt for a top-eight spot, and a win here would give them an excellent chance of advancing.
It’s also worth noting the situation regarding head coach Oliver Glasner’s future. Reports suggest he does not plan to renew his contract at the end of the season, so he’ll be doubly motivated to guide the club as far as possible in the Conference League and sign off on a high note.
As for KuPS, their domestic campaign in Finland has already concluded—with the team crowned champions, finishing six points clear of nearest rivals Inter Turku. Since wrapping up their league season, KuPS have been on a break and now focus solely on the Conference League and friendlies. They’ve played two such matches, losing both—to Sweden’s Häcken (0-2) and Finland’s Oulu (1-2).
In the Conference League, Jarkko Wiss’s side have collected six points and are still fighting for a playoff place. At present, KuPS sit 25th, just one point outside the qualification zone. To keep their hopes alive, the Finnish side simply cannot afford to lose to Crystal Palace—even a draw may not be enough, so expect the visitors to push hard for all three points.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Over two goals have been scored in five of Crystal Palace’s last six matches.
- Crystal Palace have opened the scoring in six of their last seven games.
- Three of KuPS’s last four matches have seen fewer than three goals.
- These teams have never met before in official competitions.
Probable lineups
- Crystal Palace: Benitez - Clyne, Canvot, Cardines - Devenny, Lerma, Ahamada, Sosa - Esse, Nketiah, Uche
- KuPS: Kreidl - Armah, Cissé, Miettinen, Antwi - Arifi, Oksanen, Voutilainen, Ruoppi - Toure, Parzyszek
Prediction
I believe Crystal Palace are simply a class above at the moment—even if they rotate and give minutes to some fringe players, they should still have the upper hand. The team needs nothing less than a win to secure a top-eight finish, so I expect them to go all out. My recommendation: don’t just back a straight Palace win—go for Crystal Palace with an Asian handicap of -1.5 for a more attractive payout.
