Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction, probable lineups, H2H — May 7, 2026
The second leg of the 2025/2026 UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final between Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk promises to be a clash with very different psychological backgrounds for the two sides.
- See also: Wrexham vs Middlesbrough. Can Ryan Reynolds' team reach the playoffs?
Key facts and head-to-head history:
- Crystal Palace have won 2 of their last 5 matches.
- Shakhtar have lost just 1 of their last 5 games.
- This will be only the second meeting between these teams in history.
- The first leg ended 3-1 in favour of Crystal Palace.
Match preview:
After the first clash in Krakow, which saw the Londoners claim a 3-1 victory, it’s the Eagles who come into the home fixture as clear favourites.
The English side displayed mature and pragmatic football: a lightning-fast goal in the opening minute, control over key moments, and the ability to punish every opposition mistake. Goals from Ismaïla Sarr, Daichi Kamada, and Jørgen Strand Larsen gave Palace a comfortable cushion, allowing them to approach the London leg with the advantage.
For Shakhtar, the situation is much tougher. Despite spells of promising play and a goal from Oleh Ocheretko, the Miners fell short in terms of intensity and efficiency. Now the Ukrainian club faces the daunting task of overturning a two-goal deficit away from home – a tough ask, but not an impossible one. The Donetsk camp has already declared their readiness to fight to the end and attempt to turn the tie around. Shakhtar continues to deliver fairy-tale stories – both to its fans and to the whole of Ukraine. The Donetsk side remains in contention in the Conference League semi-finals, and on Sunday they beat their arch-rivals Dynamo Kyiv with a reserve side.
The opening phase could be decisive. If Shakhtar manage to score early and put Palace under pressure, the intrigue will return. Otherwise, Crystal Palace will look to play as efficiently as possible, capitalizing on space and counterattacks.
The May 7 showdown in London is a test of character for Shakhtar and a golden opportunity for Crystal Palace to edge closer to their first-ever European final. Can the Miners pull off a comeback, or will the English club see their job through to the logical conclusion? That’s the burning question of this semi-final.
Probable lineups:
- Crystal Palace: Henderson, Canvot, Lacroix, Richards, Mitchell, Kamada, Wharton, Muñoz, Pino, Mateta, Sarr.
- Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk, Tobias, Bondar, Matvienko, Henrique, Ocheretko, Alisson, Pedrinho, Gomes, Eguinaldo, Elias.
Match prediction:
Shakhtar have to chase the deficit after a 1-3 loss in the first leg, so they’ll be forced to play aggressively and take risks. Given that Shakhtar consistently find the net (averaging around 2 goals per match) and managed to score even in the first leg, their chances of scoring remain high. At the same time, Palace regularly punish opponents on the break and are also consistent scorers, with their European games often featuring goals at both ends. Experts frequently highlight the attacking potential of both teams and consider a scenario with goals from both sides as one of the most likely outcomes for this clash.
All in all, the most probable scenario is an open game with chances at both ends—Shakhtar will push forward, Palace will respond. The prediction: both teams to score – yes.
