AEK Larnaca have lost both previous meetings with English opposition, demolished 6-0 on aggregate by West Ham in this competition in March 2023. Unsurprisingly, Crystal Palace will come up against a Cypriot club for the very first time.
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca preview
Can Crystal Palace make it two wins out of two in the Conference League? Back on matchday one, the Eagles beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in Lublin, with Daniel Muñoz breaking the deadlock, before Eddie Nketiah came off the bench to make the points secure. In two of the last three seasons, a London-based club has won this competition, with Palace supporters very much dreaming of yet more glory, having hoisted aloft both the FA Cup and Community Shield at Wembley this year.
After this, Oliver Glasner's team will also welcome AZ Alkmaar and Kuopion Palloseura to Selhurst, while traveling to Strasbourg and Shelbourne, looking to move three points closer to the knockouts.
Meantime, domestically, Palace did see their 19-match unbeaten streak come to an end at Everton earlier this month, and were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday. The Eagles were both 2-0 down and then 3-2 behind going into injury time, only for Jean-Philippe Mateta's hat-trick to salvage a share of the spoils, before the now-France international squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to pinch all three points at the death. After this European tie, Palace's next two matches are away to Arsenal on Sunday followed by a trip to Liverpool in the EFL Cup, weeks don't come much tougher than that, but the Selhurst faithful should have a continental victory to celebrate here.
As for AEK Larnaca, they have never won the Cypriot title, finishing as runners-up on six occasions since 2015. They did though win last season's Cypriot Cup, beating Pafos on penalties in Nicosia, just the third time they've achieved this in their history, while this is only their fourth appearance in a major UEFA group stage.
To get here, the Yellow and Greens' European adventure began all the way back on 10 July, beating Partizan Belgrade on penalties. They subsequently knocked Celje and Legia Warszawa out of the Europa League, before falling to Brann in the play-off round, battered 6-1. Nevertheless, they commenced this league phase with a shock 4-0 hammering of AZ Alkmaar, helped no doubt by the fact that the Dutch side were reduced to ten-men inside two minutes. Waldo Rubio, Riad Bajić, Đorđe Ivanović and Marcus Rohdén all on target on a famous night at Georgios Karapatakis Arena.
Never before have AEK Larnaca won multiple matches in a single group stage or league phase. While Imanol Idiakez's team will have five opportunities to change that fact in the next couple of months, it would still require a seismic shock for them to leave South London with anything.
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Crystal Palace team news
Borna Sosa's late red card in Lublin means he is suspended, while Oliver Glasner went very strong against Dynamo Kyiv but, with games against Arsenal and Liverpool up next, will he feel comfortable enough to rotate a bit more here?
Goalkeeper Walter Benítez has made just one Palace appearance to date but he was the penalty shootout hero as they beat fierce South London rivals Millwall in the Carabao Cup.
Out-field, Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma and Justin Devenny could all come into midfield while, having scored against both Liverpool and Dynamo Kyiv off the bench, fit again Eddie Nketiah could lead the line, affording top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta a breather.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs AEK Larnaca: (3-4-2-1): Benítez; Clyne, Canvot, Lacroix; Muñoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Yéremy, Devenny, Nketiah.
Crystal Palace player to watch vs AEK Larnaca
Eddie Nketiah has now scored in all three different senior UEFA competitions for Arsenal and Crystal Palace, so can the back-up striker stake a claim for a starting spot with a goal on Thursday?
AEK Larnaca team news
Imanol Idiakez's team beat Enosis Neon Paralimni 2-0 on Saturday while, having steamrollered AZ on matchday one, he's likely to deploy a similar line-up at Selhurst.
Midfielder Luís Gustavo and right-back Godswill Ekpolo are both Barcelona la Masia graduates, while Đorđe Ivanović will be hoping his goal off the bench against AZ will earn him a start.
AEK Larnaca predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1): Alomerović; Ekpolo, Miličević, Roberge, Gnali; Luís Gustavo, Pere Pons, Rohdén, Chacón, Rubio; Bajić.
AEK Larnaca player to watch vs Crystal Palace
Centre-back Hrvoje Miličević is actually AEK Larnaca's top-scorer this season with five goals, all of which have been penalties, so will remain crucial to their chances in both boxes.
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca prediction
We fully expect Crystal Palace to swat AEK Larnaca aside with ease at Selhurst on Thursday, sending out a statement that they're to team to beat in this competition: Crystal Palace 3-0 AEK Larnaca.
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca FAQs - UEFA Conference League
How to watch Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca in the Conference League on TV channel?
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca in the Conference League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 3
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca in the Conference League on live streaming?
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca in the Conference League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca in the Conference League?
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca takes place on Thursday 23 October 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).