In a historic clash, Shakhtar Donetsk will meet Crystal Palace for the first time in a European competition on April 30, 2026, in Warsaw, Poland. As both teams prepare for this momentous encounter, the stakes are high: it is the semi-final first leg of the Conference League.
Shakhtar Donetsk is competing in their maiden Conference League campaign, a feat made even more impressive considering the ongoing war in Ukraine. Their resilience has propelled them to this stage, where they face a formidable opponent.
Crystal Palace enters this match with momentum from their successful FA Cup run last season under manager Oliver Glasner. However, they faced an unexpected setback when they were eliminated from this year’s FA Cup by non-league side Macclesfield.
Key statistics:
- Shakhtar Donetsk boasts five wins against English teams out of nine matches played.
- Their last encounter with an English side resulted in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City during the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League.
- Crystal Palace has secured six wins in the Conference League, five of which were by two or more goals.
The match will be streamed live across various platforms. In Turkey, fans can watch it for free on TRT1 via Tabii. Viewers in the UK can catch the action on TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max, while US audiences can stream it on Paramount+.
The starting line-ups reveal key players who could influence the outcome. For Shakhtar Donetsk, names like Riznyk and Kauã Elias stand out. Crystal Palace will rely on talents such as Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta to secure an advantage.
As anticipation builds for this unprecedented match-up, analysts have noted that FourFourTwo predicts a significant victory for the Eagles in Warsaw. However, how Shakhtar Donetsk’s unique circumstances will impact their performance remains uncertain. The world watches closely as these two teams prepare to make history.