The return leg of the 2025/26 Conference League play-off tie between Crystal Palace (England) and Zrinjski (Bosnia and Herzegovina) will take place on 26 February at Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade. The first leg finished 1:1. Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Crystal Palace
The London club had to settle for a draw (1:1) in the first meeting. Despite complete control of possession (72%:28%), the English side were unable to overcome the modest Bosnian club. It was the team’s second straight draw, as well as a third consecutive match without defeat in the Conference League (they also beat Shelbourne). It is worth recalling that Crystal Palace only made their European debut this season, yet could reach the round of 16 at the first attempt. To do so, however, they need to win the return leg by any scoreline.
- The team have avoided defeat in seven of their previous nine matches in the Conference League (four wins and three draws).
- Both teams scored in four of Crystal Palace’s last five matches in this tournament.
- The London club have won the first half without conceding in each of their previous five matches in this European competition.
Potential Crystal Palace Lineup (3-4-3)*
Dean Henderson – Chadi Riad, Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards – Borna Sosa, Daniel Munoz, Brennan Johnson, Adam Wharton – Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada, Jorgen Larsen.
Midfielders Caleb Kropa and Cheick Doucoure, along with forwards Edward Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta, will miss the match through injury.
Zrinjski
The Balkan side are noticeably weaker than the English club and did not even have the upper hand in the home leg in front of their own supporters. Even so, the team managed to draw 1:1 for the second match in a row in this European competition. At the same time, in their last six Conference League matches the Bosnians have only managed to beat Hacken (two draws and three defeats). To progress to the next round, Zrinjski will need to win in England. If the return leg ends in a draw again, extra time will be played.
- The club have failed to win 14 of their previous 18 matches in the Conference League (three draws and 11 defeats).
- No more than three goals were scored in 14 of Zrinjski’s last 18 games in this tournament.
- On the road, the Balkan side are on a five-match losing run in this European competition.
Potential Zrinjski Lineup (5-4-1)*
Goran Karacic – Duje Dujmovic, Igor Savic, Marko Vrankovic, Petar Mamic, Hrvoje Barisic – Antonio Ivancic, Karlo Abramovic, Leo Mikic, Neven Djurasek – Mario Cuze.
Referee
Luis Godinho (Portugal)
Matches – 5 (international matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 18;
Yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 0;
Fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 0%.
Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski: Match Prediction
In this calendar year, wins have come with great difficulty for the London club across all competitions. The team struggled even against a modest Bosnian club that has reached this late stage of European competition for the first time in its history. We expect the English side to face problems again in the return leg when trying to break down the visitors’ deep defensive block. There is no doubt the Balkan side are travelling to the UK with one goal – to hold out for a draw and take the tie to a penalty shootout.
Zrinjski understand their limitations perfectly, so they will focus solely on defending. The team score very little even in their domestic league. Moreover, in their previous four away matches in the Conference League, the Balkan side failed to score a single goal – and those matches were against weaker opponents than the English club. Crystal Palace are unlikely to concede against this kind of opposition.
Prediction: Zrinjski, under 0.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this tournament is shown.
