Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca Prediction: Sarr to knacker Larnaca

Crystal Palace welcome AEK Larnaca to Selhurst Park in the Conference League last 16 (20:00GMT, TNT Sports). It has been a turbulent season in the Premier League for the soon-to-be-managerless Eagles. Now they contend with a team who has already beaten them on their own turf this season.

Will the visitors add insult to injury? Read on for my Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca predictions.

Team News

A knee problem has kept attacking dynamo Jean-Philippe Mateta out for the past eight games, but the forward is in line for a return in this match. Given the length of his absence, it is unlikely Mateta will start.

Oliver Glasner will have to make do without Daniel Munoz. The Colombia international injured his shoulder in the win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

Palace also have Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (thigh) sidelined.

The visitors are going to be without Yahav Gurfinkel (hip), Youssef Amyn (hamstring), Giorgos Naoum (muscle) and Jimmy Suarez (groin).

Football Odds

Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca Odds

Palace are priced at 2/9 to secure the win here. 12/1 is a nice price for a Larnaca side that has won at Selhurst Park once already this season. The draw is on the market at 9/2.

The returning Mateta leads the scorers market, priced at 11/5 to bag first, 9/4 to do so last and 8/13 for an anytime goal.

Crystal Palace to win or draw and both teams to score @ 8/5

Palace should have enough to beat the Cypriot side. However, they should have had enough to beat them in the league phase. Glasner’s men lost 1-0 to Larnaca back in October.

The Eagles have lived a thousand lifetimes since then, with the announcement Glasner is leaving this summer shoving the club into an unwanted state of flux.

The quality remains. Mateta’s return from a knee injury could not have come soon enough. I think they should win this one, buoyant after piling on Spurs’ misery at the weekend.

Six of Palace’s last eight Premier League games have seen both sides score. Larnaca have averaged 1.17 goals a game in the Conference League this season. I think both sides will net in this one and Palace will emerge with at least a draw, if not more.

Ismaila Sarr to score anytime @ 1/1

In Mateta’s absence, Sarr has been vital. Much-missed while he was off winning Afcon with Senegal this winter, the former Watford forward has been a beacon for Palace in a stormy second half of the season.

A brace sunk Spurs, including one from the penalty spot. Sarr is the club’s top scorer in the Conference League. Sarr has his tail up and, with Mateta likely to come from the bench, the 28-year-old can put his stamp on this one before the returning striker gets on the pitch.

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