- Match: Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano
- Date: 27/05/2026
- Event: UEFA Conference League final
- Venue: Red Bull Arena Leipzig
Crystal Palace have travelled to Leipzig for their first-ever European final against Rayo Vallecano tonight (May 27th). The Eagles have flown over to Germany for a battle with the Spanish outfit with the UEFA Conference League trophy on the line.
Oliver Glasner insisted that today will be “the best day” in Palace’s history and even trump last season’s FA Cup triumph. They face a Rayo side whose similarities with the South Londoners can’t be ignored.
The winners of tonight’s final book their place in next season’s UEFA Europa League. That along with Glasner bidding farewell make tonight probably the most important fixture in the club’s recent history.
Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano – team news
Palace’s preparation for the final hasn’t gone without several setbacks, none more so than injuries to Adam Wharton and Chris Richards. Both sustained ankle injuries in games against Brentford (2-2) and Arsenal (1-2).
Glasner said in his pre-match press conference: “I won’t tell you if they can start or not but they were available for training today. We will talk to the medical staff and the final decision will be taken tomorrow.”
Fortunately, the pair were back in training on Tuesday and that included with the team rather than individual sessions. That suggests they are fit and should be available for the final.
Glasner named his squad for the game and even included Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah. Both aren’t fit to play but it seems the Austrian wanted to let them experience the final in his last game in charge.
As for Rayo, they are without Italian defender Luiz Felipe who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Ilias Akhomach (quad) Carlos Martin (back) and Diego Mendez are doubts for the game.
Crystal Palace expected XI
Glasner will go with Dean Henderson in goal, with Jaydee Canvot and Maxence Lacroix, hopefully joined by Richards in defence. If the American isn’t fit to start it will likely be Chadi Riad chosen in the back three.
Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell will continue at wing-back, with Wharton partnering Daichi Kamada in midfield if the English midfielder can start.
Despite Evann Guessand returning from injury, Glasner will surely go with Yeremy Pino on the left of a front three. Ismaila Sarr will probably win the Player of the Tournament award and he’ll be on the right with Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the line.
Sports Mole’s predicted XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Pino
Prediction
It all comes down to this for Palace and Glasner and their fairytale story should have a happy ending. Nobody imagined seeing the Eagles compete in a European final when the Austrian took over in February 2024.
Rayo are tricky opposition and have been in fine form but the Eagles possess the stronger squad and that could prove decisive. A Sarr opener and an Isi Palazon equaliser take the final into the last 20 minutes before Kamada bags the winner to put Palace’s name in the trophy.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
