The first leg of the 2025/26 Conference League round-of-16 tie between Crystal Palace (England) and AEK Larnaca (Cyprus) will take place on 12 March at Selhurst Park in London. Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Crystal Palace
Thanks to their FA Cup triumph, the Londoners made their debut in the main phase of a continental competition for the first time in the club’s history. At the first attempt, they managed to reach the spring stage of the Conference League. The club performed well in the league phase, recording three wins and one draw, while also suffering two defeats. Interestingly, one of those losses came at home, and it was against the side from Larnaca. From 10th place in the table, the English team went into the play-offs, where they comfortably saw off Zrinjski (1:1 and 2:0).
- The club’s unbeaten run in this tournament stands at four matches (two wins and two draws).
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in four of Crystal Palace’s last five Conference League games.
- The English side won the first half in each of their previous six matches in this European competition.
Potential Crystal Palace Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Dean Henderson – Chris Richards, Jaidy Canvot, Chadi Riad – Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Daniel Munoz – Evann Guessan, Ismaila Sarr – Jorgen Larsen.
AEK Larnaca
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cypriots have played in this tournament, and only the second time they have made it through to the round of 16 (previously in 2023). As the Cyprus Cup holders, the team reached the league phase of the Conference League, where they went unbeaten, picking up three wins and three draws. By the way, only Strasbourg and Rakow also remain unbeaten. AEK finished eighth and avoided the play-off round. It is important to note that the visitors conceded the fewest goals in the league phase (just one).
- At least one of the teams failed to score in eight of the islanders’ previous nine matches in this tournament.
- No more than two goals were scored in AEK’s last five Conference League matches.
- In their previous five away matches in this European competition, the Cypriots have managed only one win (two draws and two defeats).
Potential AEK Larnaca Lineup (4-4-2)*
Zlatan Alomerovic – Godswill Ekpolo, Hrvoje Milicevic, Enric Saborit, Angel Garcia – Gus Ledes, Pere Pons, Jorge Miramon, Marcus Rohden – Djordje Ivanovic, Riad Bajic.
Referee
Igor Pajac (Croatia)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 28;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 33%.
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca: Match Prediction
It looks as though this game will be just as low-scoring as the previous meeting between these sides at the end of October last year, which ended with a 1:0 win for the islanders. That day, the teams registered just three shots on target across the entire match, with only one of them coming from the English side. AEK can defend superbly, something they demonstrated in the league phase by conceding only one goal.
It is also worth noting that the Cypriots themselves do not score many either. In their previous five Conference League matches, AEK have managed only three goals. Crystal Palace have not looked particularly convincing even against modest opposition in this tournament. In their last 10 games in this European competition, the Londoners have scored more than two goals only twice. For that reason, we suggest backing under four goals in this match.
Prediction: Under 3 goals
* For each team, the starting XI from its previous match is listed.
