This match marks the first-ever meeting between Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace in a European competition, taking place on April 30, 2026, in Warsaw, Poland. The stakes are high as both teams vie for a spot in the final of the Conference League.
Key facts about the match:
- Shakhtar Donetsk is competing in their maiden Conference League campaign.
- Crystal Palace won the FA Cup the previous season under manager Oliver Glasner.
- Shakhtar has five wins from nine matches against English teams.
- The match is the semi-final first leg.
- Crystal Palace has six wins in the Conference League, with five by two or more goals.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s impressive record against English teams includes a last match against Manchester City, which ended in a 1-1 draw during the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League. This adds to their confidence as they face Crystal Palace, who recently faced elimination from the FA Cup by non-league side Macclesfield.
The match will be streamed for free in Turkey on TRT1 via Tabii. In the UK, fans can watch it live on TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max, while viewers in the US can stream it on Paramount+. For those using VPNs, this provides multiple options to access coverage.
The starting XI for Shakhtar includes players like Riznyk, Tobias, and Kauã Elias. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will feature Henderson, Richards, and Mateta as key starters.
FourFourTwo predicts a big win for the Eagles in Warsaw. However, uncertainties remain regarding how Shakhtar will cope with their ongoing challenges related to the war in Ukraine while aiming for European success.
