Crystal Palace will be keen to keep their European dream going in what has been a underwhelming domestic campaign when they face Zrinjski Mostar.
Crystal Palace’s European adventure continues on Thursday night as they make the long trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina for the first leg of their Conference League knockout playoff against Zrinjski Mostar. For both clubs, this represents uncharted territory, Palace on their maiden continental campaign, Zrinjski seeking to extend theirs beyond expectations.
Crystal Palace navigated the league phase with respectable consistency, posting three wins, two draws and one defeat across six matches. However, a 2-2 draw with KuPS on the final matchday meant they finished 10th in the 36-team standings, narrowly missing a more favourable path to the last 16. Since then, domestic form has fluctuated.
Oliver Glasner’s side endured a difficult run of ten games without victory before securing a morale-boosting 1-0 win away at Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month. Yet momentum proved short-lived, as a 3-2 home defeat to Burnley followed. Currently sitting 13th in the Premier League, eight points clear of the relegation zone, Palace find themselves balancing European ambition with domestic caution.
Off-field developments have added complexity to the campaign. Glasner has confirmed he will depart at season’s end, captain Marc Guehi completed a move to Manchester City, and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late transfer collapse left uncertainty in the forward line. However, Crystal Palace responded assertively in the winter window, investing heavily in Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen to reinforce attacking depth.
Encouragingly, the Eagles have looked more comfortable away from Selhurst Park this season. They have claimed two wins from three European away matches and collected significantly more Premier League points on the road than at home. That trend will provide optimism heading into the unfamiliar setting of Bijeli Brijeg Stadium.
Zrinjski Mostar, meanwhile, have already surpassed last season’s European showing. After exiting in the group stage during their debut continental campaign, they secured playoff qualification this time thanks to a dramatic 93rd-minute own goal that salvaged a 1-1 draw with Rapid Vienna. That result elevated them to 23rd place on goal difference, having accumulated seven points from six league-phase fixtures.
Their European campaign has included emphatic highs and sobering lows. A 5-0 home demolition of Lincoln Red Imps showcased their attacking potency, but a heavy 6-0 defeat to Dynamo Kiev highlighted defensive vulnerabilities. Notably, Palace defeated the same Ukrainian side 2-0 earlier in the competition, a comparison that may shape pre-match narratives.
Domestically, Zrinjski are reigning Bosnian champions and nine-time title winners, though a recent 3-0 loss to Borac Banja Luka has left them four points off top spot. At home, however, they remain formidable. They are unbeaten at Bijeli Brijeg in this season’s Conference League and have begun 2026 with two competitive home victories by a combined score of 5-0.
Tactically, the hosts are likely to adopt an organised and compact approach, aiming to maximise set pieces and transitions. Crystal Palace, with greater squad depth and physical intensity, may attempt to control tempo and exploit width, particularly through their recent attacking additions.
The tie will ultimately hinge on composure. Crystal Palace possess superior experience against higher-calibre opposition, but Zrinjski Mostar’s home resilience and underdog momentum cannot be dismissed. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Zrinjski Mostar
Zrinjski Mostar enter this first leg with significant squad changes following the January transfer window. Five new signings, Dan Lagumdzija, Tomi Juric, Toni Majic, Adi Nalic, and Tin Sajko, have been registered in the updated Conference League squad. However, Antonio Ilic, Darick Kobie Morris, and Toma Palic have been omitted from the European list and are unavailable for selection.
Ilija Masic and Vitalie Damascan, both of whom featured regularly during the League Phase, departed the club in January, along with Jakov Pranjic and Darko Velkovski. There are no suspension concerns, and midfielder Neven Durasek is eligible again after serving a one-match ban in the draw against Rapid Vienna.
Durasek’s return strengthens the midfield core, while Nemanja Bilbija remains the primary attacking outlet. The experienced centre-forward has scored 15 goals across all competitions this season and continues to lead the line with clinical efficiency. His presence will be crucial against a physically imposing Crystal Palace defence.
Zrinjski Mostar are expected to line up in a 5-2-3 formation against Crystal Palace, prioritising defensive structure and compact spacing. Goran Karacic will start in goal behind the defensive five that should consist of Kerim Memija operating as the right wing-back, Hrvoje Barisic and Duje Dujmovic as central defenders, David Karacic forming part of the backline, and Petar Mamic positioned on the left flank.
In midfield, Igor Savic is likely to partner Neven Djurasek in a central pairing tasked with shielding the defence and initiating transitions. Up front, Leo Mikic should operate from the right side of the attack, Nemanja Bilbija will lead the line as the central striker, and Mario Cuze is expected to feature on the left wing, providing pace and direct running in forward areas.
Probable Lineup (5-2-3): G. Karacic; Memija, Barisic, Dujmovic, D. Karacic, Mamic; Savic, Djurasek; Mikic, Bilbija, Cuze
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina with several notable absentees. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Cheick Doucoure are both ruled out with knee injuries, while Eddie Nketiah remains sidelined due to a thigh problem. Christantus Uche has not been included in the club’s updated Conference League squad and is therefore ineligible for this tie. There are no suspension issues affecting Oliver Glasner’s selection for the first leg.
On a more positive note, January arrivals Brennan Johnson, Jorgen Strand Larsen, and Evann Guessand have all been registered in the European squad. Johnson, who scored the decisive goal in last season’s Europa League final with Tottenham, is pushing for a return to the starting lineup after featuring as a substitute in the recent defeat to Burnley.
Strand Larsen appears set to continue as the central striker after scoring his first two goals for Palace in that match. Several squad players, including Yeremy Pino, Will Hughes, Nathaniel Clyne, Borna Sosa, Chadi Riad, and Jaydee Canvot, remain in contention as Glasner considers rotation and balance for the European stage.
Crystal Palace are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Dean Henderson will start in goal. The defensive trio should consist of Chris Richards on the right side of the central defensive unit, Maxence Lacroix operating centrally, and Chadi Riad positioned on the left.
In the wing-back roles, Nathaniel Clyne is likely to occupy the right flank, while Borna Sosa should operate on the left. In central midfield, Adam Wharton is projected to partner Will Hughes, combining ball progression with defensive discipline.
Further forward, Brennan Johnson and Yeremy Pino are expected to operate as the two advanced attacking midfielders behind the striker, providing creativity and support in transition. Jorgen Strand Larsen should lead the line as the central forward, tasked with converting chances and occupying Zrinjski’s defensive unit.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Johnson, Pino; Strand Larsen
Key Stats
- Zrinjski Mostar are unbeaten at home in this season’s Conference League, winning two and drawing one of their three matches at Bijeli Brijeg Stadium.
- The Bosnian champions qualified for the playoffs with just seven points from six League Phase games, sneaking through on goal difference after a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser on matchday six.
- Crystal Palace collected three wins, two draws and one defeat in the League Phase, finishing 10th in the 36-team table, just two points shy of automatic last-16 qualification.
- The Eagles have won two of their three European away matches this season, underlining their relative comfort on the road in continental competition.
- Nemanja Bilbija has scored 15 goals across all competitions for Zrinjski this season, making him their leading attacking threat heading into this first leg.
Player to Watch
Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton could prove pivotal in a tie where control of midfield will shape the tempo. The young English midfielder has quickly established himself as one of Crystal Palace’s most composed operators in possession, dictating rhythm and distributing efficiently under pressure.
Operating at the base of midfield, Wharton’s range of passing allows Palace to switch play quickly and exploit wide spaces, a key factor against a Zrinjski side likely to sit deep in a compact defensive block. His ability to recycle possession and maintain structural balance also gives Palace the platform to sustain attacking pressure without overexposing themselves.
In an away knockout fixture where patience and composure are essential, Wharton’s maturity and tactical intelligence may determine how effectively Palace impose themselves on proceedings.
Prediction
Zrinjski Mostar 0-1 Crystal Palace
Zrinjski Mostar’s home resilience and defensive discipline suggest this will be a competitive first leg, particularly in front of a motivated crowd at Bijeli Brijeg Stadium. The hosts are organised, direct, and capable of capitalising on set pieces, a factor Palace must manage carefully.
However, Crystal Palace’s superior depth, athleticism, and quality in transitional phases should gradually assert themselves. If Adam Wharton controls midfield tempo and Jorgen Strand Larsen continues his early scoring form, the visitors have the tools to take a narrow advantage back to Selhurst Park. Expect a tight contest with limited margins, but Palace’s European away efficiency may prove decisive.