Preview: Sixth Edition Concludes in Leipzig
The sixth iteration of the UEFA Conference League concludes at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on Wednesday night, as Crystal Palace take on Rayo Vallecano.
Both clubs are preparing for their first continental final, with Madrid-based Rayo searching for their maiden piece of major silverware in eastern Germany.
Palace qualified for UEFA's newest club competition by winning the FA Cup last year, while the La Liga side aims to complete a project ignited by departing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola in 2020. They're now led by his former assistant, Iñigo Pérez, who has guided the club to back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the Spanish top flight.
Neither team was particularly dominant in the league phase, with Palace needing the playoff round to reach the knockouts. However, the Eagles have since overcome AEK Larnaca, Fiorentina and Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the final.
Rayo held off Samsunspor and AEK Athens before beating league phase table-toppers Strasbourg in the last four. On the domestic front, they missed out on seventh spot in La Liga to Getafe on the final day. There will be no European soccer for Pérez's men next season if they fail to upset the odds on Wednesday.
Premier League Dominance Shows
The Premier League has flexed its might on the continent this decade, and Palace are aiming to become the third English club to win this competition since its inauguration five years ago.
West Ham United won in 2023, while Chelsea thumped Real Betis in the showpiece event last year. The recent Europa League final between Aston Villa and Freiburg was also hardly a contest.
Some may fear a similar one-sided final in Leipzig, but Rayo Vallecano cannot be underestimated. Pérez has got La Liga's answer to Bournemouth punching above their weight, with Spain's best often troubled by the high-octane ideals initially instilled by Iraola. They will not go down without a fight in what is, without question, the biggest game in their history.
Glasner Bows Out
"[Crystal Palace chairman] Steve Parish said the best day possible was the FA Cup final, but I think the best day is still to come in Leipzig," Glasner asserted ahead of his final game in charge of Palace.
The Austrian, who has previously won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, has seen his side grow into this competition. He's surely not going to depart the south London club with a crushing defeat on his résumé.
Prediction
Crystal Palace 1–0 Rayo Vallecano
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup
Palace should be well-rested for the final. Glasner unsurprisingly rang the changes on the final day of the Premier League season against newly-crowned champions Arsenal, attempting to preserve his key players for Wednesday's final.
However, Adam Wharton was forced off just 15 minutes after coming on at the weekend, immediately thrusting his status for Leipzig into doubt. Thankfully, the classy midfield operator has traveled with the squad, and he's expected to be named in Palace's starting lineup.
The same goes for Chris Richards, who tore two ankle ligaments in the draw at Brentford 10 days ago. The USMNT defender has been considered 50-50 for the final.
Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doukouré are sidelined with hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while Borna Sosa is unlikely to feature due to a muscle complaint.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Cancavo; Muñoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Pine; Mateta.
Rayo Vallecano Predicted Lineup
Underdogs Rayo are aiming to pull off the upset.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): To be confirmed closer to kickoff.