Crystal Palace welcome Fiorentina to Selhurst Park for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final on Thursday evening. The Eagles go into the tie as favorites against a Fiorentina side that has reached two finals and a semi-final in the competition's short history. Kick-off is at 8:00pm UK time.
Crystal Palace aim to build on their progress past Larnaca in the last 16, where they needed extra time in the second leg, when they face Fiorentina at home. Fiorentina advanced comfortably against Raków Częstochowa and recently secured a late victory over Verona in Serie A, pulling five points clear of the relegation zone. The second leg will take place at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, giving the Italians a potential advantage later on. Palace hold a rest benefit, with no competitive match since Cyprus, ahead of their Premier League game against Newcastle United on Sunday, where they seek the 40-point safety mark. They sit 10 points above third-bottom West Ham in the table under manager Oliver Glasner, fueling hopes for a first European trophy to cap his tenure. Last season's FA Cup winners face pressure from fans for a sharper performance after recent home struggles, including goalless draws versus Larnaca and Leeds United. Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah are injury doubts for Palace, though Dean Henderson returns from illness and Adam Wharton should be available. Fiorentina will miss Rolando Mandragora, Manor Solomon, Niccolo Fortini and Fabiano Parisi, but Dodo is back in training. Predicted line-ups feature Henderson in goal for Palace with attackers like Ismaila Sarr, who has five Conference League goals this season, facing David De Gea between the posts for Fiorentina. The Viola hold Conference League records with 58 matches played and 32 wins shared with AZ Alkmaar, and remain unbeaten in six games across competitions. De Gea previously won 13 of 19 matches against Palace while at Manchester United.
