Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace predictions: Sarr could be key to Eagles’ success
Joe Casey
Ismaila Sarr has seven Conference League goals this season
Seven of Shakhtar’s 10 Conference League games this term have gone over 2.5 goals
Recommended bet: Ismaila Sarr anytime goalscorer
Crystal Palace have been favourites to win the Conference League throughout their campaign this season but the Eagles have hardly been the most convincing and face a tough semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Ukrainian side beat Lech Poznan in the round of 16 before getting the better of AZ Alkmaar in the last eight to reach a third European semi-final in 11 seasons.
The latest Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Shakhtar will remain without midfielder Dmytro Kryskiv for this clash but star Brazilian youngsters Kaua Elias and Leca Meirelles should feature, the pair have 16 goals between them this season.
Crystal Palace are set to be without long-term absentees Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand through injury while Tyrick Mitchell faces a late fitness test with an achilles issue and Cheick Doucoure is also a doubt.
The latest Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Crystal Palace have been involved in a number of high-scoring affairs recently, with five of their last six games going over 2.5 goals.
Their record away from home in this competition hasn’t been great however, winning just three of their seven games and losing two of those.
Shakhtar have lost only two of their 12 Conference League matches this term and both of those defeats were by a 2-1 scoreline.
The latest Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
With a bottom-half finish in the Premier League looking increasingly likely for Crystal Palace, the reigning FA Cup winners will put all of their focus into the Conference League as they aim to win a European competition in their first season of continental action.
The Eagles have hardly dominated this competition however, having to come through the knockout play-offs after finishing outside the top eight in the league phase.
Oliver Glasner’s men ground out victories over Zrinjski Mostar and AEK Larnaca before overcoming their biggest challenge yet to see off Fiorentina 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.
Shakhtar Donetsk are arguably a step up on that level of opponent however. They currently top the Ukrainian Premier League and have knocked out Lech Poznan and AZ Alkmaar to reach this point.
Ismaila Sarr has been crucial to Palace’s success recently, scoring four times in their last three European games, and the Senegalese star has 17 goals in all competitions.
The 28-year-old looks like the Eagles’ likeliest route to goal in this clash and is a tempting price to score.
Back Ismaila Sarr anytime goalscorer at 23/10 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace odds are available on LiveScore Bet
