This match marks the first-ever meeting between Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace in a European competition, taking place on April 30, 2026, in Warsaw, Poland. The stakes are high as both teams aim to advance in the Conference League semi-finals.
Shakhtar Donetsk is competing in their maiden Conference League campaign. Their impressive record against English teams—five wins from nine matches—adds to the intrigue. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace comes off a FA Cup victory from the previous season under manager Oliver Glasner.
Key statistics:
- Shakhtar has six wins in the Conference League, five of which were by a margin of two or more goals.
- The last match Shakhtar played against an English team ended in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City during the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League.
- Crystal Palace has been eliminated from the FA Cup by non-league side Macclesfield.
The match will feature notable players like Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta for Palace, while Shakhtar’s lineup includes Riznyk and Kauã Elias. Fans can catch this historic clash across various platforms.
Where to watch:
- UK: TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max (subscription cost £25.99/month)
- US: Paramount+ (subscription cost $8.99/month)
- Turkey: TRT1 via Tabii (streaming for free)
The context surrounding Shakhtar’s journey is significant—they continue to navigate challenges stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine. This backdrop adds weight to their achievement of reaching a European semi-final.
As anticipation builds for this unique encounter, FourFourTwo predicts a big win for the Eagles in Warsaw. Yet, how this will unfold on the pitch remains uncertain. The outcome could hinge on key performances from both sides as they vie for a place in history.