Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski Prediction

Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski prediction: second-leg edge at Selhurst

The Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski prediction for Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League return leg is shaped by one simple fact: the tie is still open. After the 1:1 draw in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Palace and Zrinjski Mostar arrive at Selhurst Park level, with kickoff set for 20:00 GMT on 2029.02-26. This is Palace’s first European knockout campaign, and with a sell-out crowd expected, the home side will feel this is a “sort it at Selhurst” kind of night.

Team news, tactics, and what the first leg taught us

Oliver Glasner is sticking with his 3-4-2-1, but he is doing it under pressure—on the pitch and off it. Palace have been dealing with a real defensive shortage, and it showed in moments during the first leg when simple errors allowed Zrinjski to stay alive.

• Crystal Palace injuries: Maxence Lacroix is a major doubt (adductor). Long-term absentees include Jefferson Lerma, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah, and Cheick Doucouré.
• Squad notes: Chadi Riad is back after a long layoff, while Christantus Uche is unavailable as he is not registered for this competition.
• Key Palace threats: Ismaïla Sarr opened the scoring in the first leg, and Evann Guessand brings confidence after his late winner vs Wolves.
• Zrinjski absences: Toni Šunjić is out, and Antonio Ilić, Darick Kobie Morris, and Toma Palić are ineligible. Marko Vranjković returns from suspension.
• Zrinjski main danger: Nemanja Bilbija remains the reference point up front, while Karlo Abramović proved in Mostar he can punish gaps again.

The form guide also adds color. Palace finally stopped a bleak run (one win in 14) with a dramatic 1-0 over Wolves, which should lift belief. Zrinjski, meanwhile, have looked far more comfortable at home than away and recently took a 3-0 domestic loss to Borac Banja Luka, even though they sit 2nd in their league. In the head to head of this tie so far, it’s 1:1—and remember, the away-goal rule no longer applies, so extra time is on the table if needed.

Odds, AI picks, and how to bet the return leg

The betting odds show how strongly the market leans toward Palace: Home win 1.14, Draw 9.5, Away win 29.0. That gap matches the squad-value difference too (€536.30m vs €8.18m). Still, sports betting is rarely just about money on paper, as Palace proved when they drew 1:1 away to Arsenal back on 2025-12-23 at long odds.

Main 1X2 call

• 1x2 prediction: Home win (1) at odds 1.14
• Trust rating: 9.5/10

This Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski prediction is straightforward on the result: Palace should have more control at Selhurst Park, and the atmosphere plus better pitch conditions should help them be more clinical than in Mostar.

Goals market: tempting, but with a warning label

1. Best tip: Over 2.5 goals (odds 1.55)
2. Trust rating: 2.0/10

Yes, our AI points to over 2.5 goals as the best under/over angle, but the low trust rating matters. It’s basically saying: “there’s value in the idea, but don’t treat it like a lock.” Palace’s defensive injuries can create chances at both ends, while Zrinjski may have to open up if they fall behind—often a recipe for a third goal.

• Expected half-time score: 1:0
• Expected final score: 2:1

If you want a simple plan: the 1x2 prediction aligns with the betting odds, the squad gap, and home advantage. The over 2.5 goals bet fits the match story—but stake smaller, because the data confidence is low.