Conference League final: Palace and Vallecano set for Leipzig showdown
Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in the final on May 27, with manager Oliver Glasner’s tenure ending and key players shifting form.
Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano are set to contest the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday, May 27, at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany. The winner of the third-tier European club tournament will secure automatic qualification for the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League league phase. This fixture represents a potential historic milestone for both clubs, marking Crystal Palace’s first opportunity to win a European trophy and Rayo Vallecano’s first major title in any competition.
Crystal Palace advanced to the final by defeating Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate in the semifinals. Rayo Vallecano reached the decider by defeating French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg 1-0 in both legs of their semifinal tie. The match will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
Crystal Palace enter the match as the -110 favourite on the 90-minute money line, with Rayo Vallecano priced at +320 and a draw at +250. The total for match goals is set at 2.5, with the over priced at +110 and the under at -140. These odds reflect the market’s assessment of a contest where Palace, despite a poor regular season finish, have improved significantly during their Conference League campaign.
A notable administrative shift looms over the English side, as manager Oliver Glasner is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season. This final will be his last match in charge of the Premier League club. While the team ended the regular season in poor form, they have banded together during the European run, aiming to secure European competition status through this final.
Individual player form has shifted during the tournament. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored 12 goals in the regular season, has netted only one goal in 11 Conference League matches. Conversely, Ismaila Sarr has scored nine goals in 11 starts, leading the tournament’s scoring charts. SportsLine soccer expert Jon Eimer, who finished 2023 as the platform’s top soccer expert, recommends backing Sarr due to his current form and speed, which he believes will trouble Rayo Vallecano on the counter-attack.
