Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk predictions: Sarr can star for trophy-hunting Palace
James Milton
Crystal Palace slipped to 15th in the Premier League after a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend
Shakhtar Donetsk have scored at least twice in all five Conference League away games this season
Recommended bet: Ismaila Sarr to score at 19/10 with LiveScore Bet
Crystal Palace took a huge step towards the Conference League final by beating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the first leg of their semi-final tie last week.
Palace, who won the FA Cup under Oliver Glasner last season, are aiming to claim another piece of silverware and they are hot favourites for Thursday's second leg at Selhurst Park.
The latest Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah (thigh) remains sidelined but Evann Guessand, Will Hughes and Borna Sosa could return to the squad. Cheick Doucoure is not eligible for the Conference League.
Shakhtar Donetsk centre-back Marlon will be assessed after coming off injured in Sunday's league win over Dynamo Kyiv.
The latest Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Crystal Palace have conceded only one goal in their last seven home matches in all competitions.
Three of the Eagles' last five games at Selhurst Park ended 0-0.
Ismaila Sarr has scored five goals in his last four Conference League appearances for Palace.
Both teams have scored in six of Shakhtar Donetsk's last seven matches.
Nine of Shakhtar's last 10 games in all competitions featured over 2.5 goals.
Shakhtar have not lost any of their nine away matches in Europe this season.
The latest Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
After waiting 119 years for a major trophy, Crystal Palace have developed a taste for silverware and they should seal their place in the Conference League final on Thursday night.
Last season's FA Cup winners made a dream start to their semi-final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk when Ismaila Sarr scored the fastest goal in the brief history of the Conference League.
Sarr struck just 21 seconds into the clash in Krakow and the Senegal winger can cause more problems for Shakhtar at Selhurst Park.
Palace's European campaign has undoubtedly affected their Premier League form and they lie 15th in the table after Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
But Sarr is among the Eagles stars who are relishing the Conference League, having scored eight goals in the competition this term.
Five of those goals have come in his last four appearances and he may well punish a Shakhtar side who must take risks if they are to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit.
Arda Turan's visitors responded well to their defeat to Palace as they claimed a vital 2-1 league victory against Dynamo Kyiv on Sunday.
That result took them 10 points clear at the top of the table and they have an impressive record on their travels in Europe this term.
Shakhtar have not lost any of their nine away fixtures in the Europa League and Conference League but Palace hold all the aces following their convincing first-leg win in Poland.
Score Prediction - Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Back Ismaila Sarr to score at 19/10 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds are available on LiveScore Bet
