Crystal Palace host the most successful team in the Conference League never to win the competition as they face Fiorentina in quarter-finals at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles head into the first leg of the last-eight tie as heavy favourites despite facing a side that has reached the final twice and the semi-final once in the tournament’s four-season history prior to this campaign.
Fiorentina lost to West Ham in the 2023 final before coming up short against Olympiacos the following year.
Their bid for glory last season was ended in the last four by Real Betis, and a tie with Premier League opposition presents them with a significant hurdle as they bid to avoid further Conference League disappointment this term.
But Fiorentina, who have pulled themselves five points clear of the Serie A relegation zone, will have reason for confidence they can pull off the upset, especially with the second leg being held at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.
Palace needed extra time in the second leg to see off Cypriot side Larnaca in the last 16, while Fiorentina were ultimately comfortable in progressing past Raków Częstochowa.
Fiorentina are also coming off a crucial late win over Verona in Serie A, though Palace have a significant rest advantage in their favour, having not played a competitive game since their extra-time win in Cyprus.
Palace may have one eye on Sunday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United as they aim to hit the magic 40-point mark that is typically viewed as enough for safety from relegation.
But, with their gap to third-bottom West Ham 10 points, there is an argument the Eagles can afford to focus on the Conference League as they aim to end Oliver Glasner’s time as manager with the club’s first European trophy.
On the back of an unconvincing effort in the last round and having had ample time to rest ahead of the run-in, the home fans will be expecting a much-improved display that takes last season’s FA Cup winners closer to more silverware.
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Team news for Crystal Palace v Fiorentina
Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) are doubts for Palace, who should welcome goalkeeper Dean Henderson back from illness.
Adam Wharton is expected to be fit despite suffering a minor injury on England duty.
Rolando Mandragora, Manor Solomon, Niccolo Fortini and Fabiano Parisi are all set to miss out through injury for Fiorentina, but right-back Dodo is back in training following a hamstring issue.
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