Tribal Football

The 4 Crystal Palace players who will miss the clash with Zrinjski Mostar including Mateta

The 4 Crystal Palace players who will miss the clash with Zrinjski Mostar including Mateta
The 4 Crystal Palace players who will miss the clash with Zrinjski Mostar including MatetaAction Images via Reuters

Crystal Palace welcome Zrinjski Mostar to Selhurst Park in the Conference League knockout round playoff.

The Eagles have a chance to reach the last 16 of the Conference League when taking on Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar at Selhurst Park after a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg. 

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Palace had more than 70% possession in the first leg in Bosnia-Herzegovina and will hope for a more clinical performance in front of their home fans this week. 

Zrinjski have topped their domestic championship on nine occasions since 2004 and are not a side to be underestimated, even if Palace have a far better side on paper. 

Palace have only won two of their last 16 games across all competitions since December and must face Zrinjski without the likes of Cheick Doucoure (knee), Eddie Nketiah (thigh) and Jefferson Lerma (hamstring) in midfield. 

Further up the pitch, striker Jean-Philippe Mateta (knee) is also missing as January signing Jørgen Strand Larsen steps in for the Frenchman who Glasner said could return very soon earlier this month. 

“JP is now in his rehab process. I hope he will be back in the next two or three weeks.” 

A win would mean Palace reach the last 16 of a major European competition for the first time in their history and manager Oliver Glasner will be hoping to make history on Thursday night.     

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