Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano Conference League Final: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction 

Crystal Palace will take on Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final at Leipzig Stadium in Germany on Wednesday.

Match preview 

Crystal Palace are competing in their first ever European final after brushing aside Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

The Eagles endured an inconsistent league phase campaign, finishing 10th in the standings before overcoming Zrinjski 3-1 on aggregate in the knockout phase play-offs.

The competition’s highest-scoring team then overcame AEK Larnaca 2-1 on aggregate in the last 16 before defeating Fiorentina 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

Oliver Glasner is now just 90 minutes away from securing a third major trophy for Crystal Palace within 12 months after guiding them to FA Cup and Community Shield glory in 2025.

The German is well acquainted with European success, having guided Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory against Rangers in the 2022 final, and he could now lead Palace to their first-ever European title in his final game in charge.

Crystal Palace ended their Premier League campaign in 15th place after suffering a 2-1 defeat to champions Arsenal on Sunday, but a victory here could seal European qualification.

Rayo Vallecano narrowly missed out on a top-seven finish in La Liga after beating Deportivo Alaves 2-1 on the final day, ending the season one point behind Getafe in the race for the Conference League play-off spot.

Los Franjirrojos enjoyed an impressive run to the final after securing a fifth-place finish in the league phase.

They overcame Samsunspor 3-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 before defeating AEK Athens and Strasbourg 4-3 and 2-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.

Inigo Perez’s side will be eager to make their mark in only their second European campaign, having previously reached the quarter-finals of the 2000/01 UEFA Cup before losing to Alaves, while victory here would secure their first major trophy.

Team news

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton was forced off with an ankle injury just 16 minutes after coming on, although the setback is not believed to be serious and he could still be involved.

Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure are sidelined with injuries while Chris Richards and Borna Sosa are doubtful.

Rayo Vallecano’s Carlos Martin was forced off with a back injury after 38 minutes against Alaves on the final day, and he’s a doubt.

Ilias Akhomach and Diego Mendez are also doubtful, while Luiz Felipe is out for the season with a muscle injury.

Predicted line-ups

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson, Riad, Lacroix, Canvot, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Mateta, Pino.

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Batalla, Ratiu, Mendy, Lejeune, Chavarria, Ciss, Valentin, De Frutos, Palazon, Espino, Alemao.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Rayo Vallecano.