Javi Rozada has done an admirable job since taking over at AEK Larnaca, as his appointment was confirmed only three days before the trip to London to face Crystal Palace last week. The new boss had pressure on his head to deliver a positive result, and he did, with a resilient goalless draw against the Premier League side.
In fact, they were the team that spoiled Crystal Palace’s European debut, when they defeated the Londoners at Selhurst Park in their Conference League opener. Now, he can guide the team to a notable quarter-final spot in the Conference League if they can manage to oust Palace, with the game poised in the balance as things stand.
Oliver Glasner is aiming to leave the club on a high note, and despite the unhappiness of the Selhurst Park crowd towards him, he has managed to stabilise the ship. Palace have a ten-point buffer over the relegation zone, and without any real ambitions of a European finish, the focus is solely on their continental commitments.
The issue is their form in front of the goal, as Palace have failed to score in their last two home games. Last week, they failed to break down AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park and then at the weekend, when they could not score past ten-man Leeds United, with both those clashes ending in goalless draws.
Glasner will want to take the team to European glory, but he must overcome AEK Larnaca for the third time of asking this season. Following a home loss to the Cypriot side in their Conference League opener at the start of the season and last week, Glasner will want a top-notch display from his players to secure the quarter-final spot.
Javi Rozada will have to contend with a few injury issues, as Jorge Miramon was substituted last week with a calf problem and may sit out this second leg. Valentin Roberge is also out of contention with a problem with his finger, while Youssef Amyn is out with a hamstring injury.
Giorgos Naoum misses out with a muscle problem, while Jimmy Suarez has a groin issue, which will keep those players out of the contest this week. Jairo Izquierdo and Alex Cardero are ineligible for the Europa League, and Rozada is expected to make a few notable changes to his side from last week and over the weekend.
The absence of Miramon will see Petros Ioannou deputise at right-back, while Angel Garcia could come in on the opposite flank at the expense of Jairo Izquierdo, and Rozada will play with a back five of sorts in this game. Riad Bajic is expected to lead the line for AEK Larnaca, with the attacker having a hand in two of the team’s seven goals in the Conference League this season.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Alomerovic; Ioannou, Milicevic, Saborit, Ekpolo, Garcia; Rohden, Ledes, Pons, Ivanovic; Bajic
Oliver Glasner has a few injury issues of his own to contend with, as the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure remain out, while there are doubts over Dean Henderson and Daniel Munoz. The goalkeeper missed the weekend’s draw with Leeds United due to illness, as he will be assessed before the game, with the expectation leaning toward the England international replacing Walter Benitez in goal.
As for Munoz, he will also be checked before Glasner decides on his inclusion, and should he miss out again, Brennan Johnson is better positioned to play in the right wing-back role in Cyprus.
Glasner will bring his key midfielders, Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada, into the mix, while Ismaila Sarr and Evan Guessand are expected to keep their places in the attacking third.
With Jean-Philippe Mateta receiving a mixed reception from the Selhurst Park crowd upon his return from injury, Glasner might resist the temptation of rotating and continue to use Jorgen Strand Larsen as his lead striker on Thursday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Johnson, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen
Jorgen Strand Larsen has been a sensational signing for Crystal Palace, and the investment is already paying off in a big way. With the Norwegian striker cementing his place at the tip of the Crystal Palace attack, he must now help the team in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The visitors are lacking sharpness in front of goal and have failed to score in their last two games across all competitions. With the away leg against AEK Larnaca poised to have a winner, Crystal Palace and Strand Larsen will hope it is they who move into the quarter-finals, as the striker needs to put in an inspired performance on Thursday.
AEK Larnaca and Crystal Palace are vying to reach the quarter-finals, but ultimately, the result will come down to which team has the mentality and experience to go through. Neither team has any particular experience at this stage of the competition, but the presence of Oliver Glasner will probably make the difference.
Crystal Palace have looked a bit suspect when it comes to their defence since the departure of Marc Guehi, but Glasner’s side have the overall quality to go through. The South Londoners may have to solve a small problem of scoring goals, but they boast some top-notch attackers to ensure they get past AEK Larnaca and move into the quarter-finals.
