Crystal Palace and Fiorentina draw challenging eastern European first legs in the Conference League knockout playoffs; punters may find value backing the home underdogs in Feb. 19 first legs or betting on low-scoring ties. Overall, Palace and Fiorentina are likeliest to progress, but expect tight aggregate results and cautious single-leg wagers.
Conference League: Palace and Fiorentina Draw Tough Eastern Trips in Knockout Playoffs
NYON, Switzerland — Preseason favourites Crystal Palace and Fiorentina were handed difficult first legs in the UEFA Conference League knockout playoffs draw, sending both to eastern Europe after a rocky group phase. Palace will travel to Bosnian champion Zrinjski Mostar, while Fiorentina face a trip to Poland to meet Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Overview of the Knockout Playoffs
The knockout playoffs feature teams that placed ninth to 24th in the 36-team group standings, with the top eight advancing directly to the round of 16. The Conference League is increasingly eastern-heavy this season, with nine former Iron Curtain clubs drawn for the first legs and 10 represented across the full 24-team knockout phase.
Key Matches to Watch
Zrinjski Mostar vs. Crystal Palace — Palace must negotiate passionate home support and tricky conditions in Bosnia before hosting the return. Jagiellonia Bialystok vs. Fiorentina — Fiorentina, twice a finalist in this competition, will need to manage travel and a physical Polish opponent. Noah vs. AZ Alkmaar — Armenian champion Noah hosts a strong Dutch side. Drita vs. Celje — Kosovo’s Drita make a maiden knockout-phase appearance for their nation.
Full Knockout Playoffs Draw (First leg Feb. 19, Second leg Feb. 26)
Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia-Herzegovina) vs. Crystal Palace (England) KuPS Kuopio (Finland) vs. Lech Poznan (Poland) Noah (Armenia) vs. AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) Jagiellonia Bialystok (Poland) vs. Fiorentina (Italy) Sigma Olomouc (Czech Republic) vs. Lausanne (Switzerland) Shkendija (North Macedonia) vs. Samsunspor (Turkey) Drita (Kosovo) vs. Celje (Slovenia) Omonoia (Cyprus) vs. Rijeka (Croatia)
Who Advanced Directly to the Round of 16
Strasbourg, Rakow, AEK Athens, Sparta Prague, Rayo Vallecano, Shakhtar Donetsk, Mainz, and AEK Larnaca bypassed the playoffs and go straight into the round of 16.
Schedule, Stakes and Context
First-leg matches are set for Feb. 19 with return legs on Feb. 26. The Conference League final is scheduled for May 27 in Leipzig, Germany. The overall competition prize fund is roughly €285 million, underscoring the financial incentive for lower-ranked clubs to push into the season’s latter stages.
Betting Angle and Tactical Takeaways
Eastern European hosts bring difficult travel, atmospherics and winter conditions that can blunt technically superior visitors. Expect tight aggregates and low-scoring first legs; value often lies with home underdogs and cautious markets (unders, draw no bet, or narrow handicap lines). Palace and Fiorentina remain favourites to progress overall, but single-leg markets can swing toward the hosts.
What to Watch Next
Clubs will now prepare logistics and scout opponents in depth. Form, injuries and weather will be decisive over the two-leg ties; strategic managers may prioritize defensive solidity in the away first legs to preserve chances for the home return.
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Crystal Palace and Fiorentina face trips to eastern Europe in the Conference League after both preseason favourites found the opening phase tough and landed in the knockout playoffs round draw Friday.
Sportsnet
