Shelbourne will take on English opposition for the very first time, while this will be Crystal Palace's first competitive fixture in Ireland.
This though will be the 26th encounter between and English and Irish club in UEFA competition, with the Premier League sides winning 22 of the 25 date, yet to taste defeat, scoring 107 goals across these matches, an average of 4.28 per game.
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace preview
Any Crystal Palace support who hoped their side would cruise all the way to the Conference League Final with a minimum of fuss have not got their wish thus far, with the away side under pressure to win in Dublin as they seek a top eight finish. So far, the FA Cup winners have won two and lost two in the league phase, so find themselves 18th in the gigantic league table. A fortnight ago, despite taking the lead through Tyrick Mitchell, the Eagles were beaten 2-1 by Strasbourg at Stade de la Meinau. They've also been defeated by AEK Larnaca at home, while enjoying victories over Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin and then when AZ visited Selhurst. Nevertheless, Palace probably need to win both here and then against Kuopion Palloseura next Thursday if they're going to sneak into a top eight position.
Meantime, in the Premier League, Oliver Glasner's side climbed up to fourth on Sunday, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Fulham. Eddie Nketiah broke the deadlock at Craven Cottage, played in by an exquisite pass from Adam Wharton, before Marc Guéhi's late header pinched the points. The Eagles have now won four of their last six league fixtures, ahead of a visit from Manchester City on Sunday. Before then, will the Palace fans heading to the Emerald Isle this week have a victory to celebrate?
As for Shelbourne, this will be a huge occasion. Last year, they won the League of Ireland title for the first time in 18 years and then, after twice defeating Linfield during the summer, qualified for a UEFA group stage for the very first time. Well, so far, Shels have found competing at this level tough going. The Reds did hold BK Häcken to a goalless draw in Dublin on matchday one, but have lost all three subsequent fixtures, defeated by Shkëndija in Skopje, the night's only goal coming in injury time, as well as 1-0 when Drita visited Ireland and then 2-0 in Alkmaar against AZ a fortnight ago.
Preparations are far from ideal for Joey O'Brien's team, considering the League of Ireland season finished all the way back on 1 November. They ended up third in the table, seven points adrift the champions, after Damien Duff, the manager who had led them to the title, surprisingly resigned in June mid-way through the campaign. Also, this match will be played at Tallaght Stadium, home of city rivals Shamrock Rovers, because their home Tolka Park does not meet UEFA requirements. Nevertheless, this is an eagerly-anticipated tie, but Palace should be far too strong in Dublin.
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Shelbourne team news
As mentioned, Shelbourne have not been in action since their hard-fought defeat in Alkmaar two weeks ago, so fatigue won't be an issue, but a lack of match sharpness may well be.
Joey O'Brien will stick with the 5-3-2 formation, as he has done throughout the league phase, featuring captain Mark Coyle in defence and Harry Wood in attack.
Shelbourne predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (5-3-2): Speel; Mbeng, Coyle, Barrett, Ledwidge, Kelly;McInroy, Henry-Francis, Lunney; Wood, Odubeko.
Shelbourne player to watch vs Crystal Palace
Mipo Odubeko has been Shels' main man for goals in Europe this year, netting twice against Linfield and when Rijeka visited Dublin, so could he score an historic one here?
Crystal Palace team news
With Manchester City coming up at the weekend, you might expect Oliver Glasner to heavily rotate at Tallaght, but that is something he is yet to do much of in this competition, or any other.
Key figure Daniel Muñoz missed Sunday's win at Fulham due to a knee injury, so Nathaniel Clyne enjoyed a rare start, likely to keep his place, assuming the Colombian is not risked.
Elsewhere, Ismaïla Sarr is still nursing an ankle ligament injury suffered against Manchester United, so Eddie Nketiah could continue as part of the front three, following his strike at Craven Cottage.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Shelbourne: (4-3-3): Henderson; Richards, Guéhi, Lacroix; Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa; Yéremy, Nketiah, Mateta.
Crystal Palace player to watch vs Shelbourne
Jean-Philippe Mateta has nine goals to his name this season, including bagging Palace's first-ever in a major UEFA competition against Fredrikstad in August, so will he fire them to victory in Dublin?
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace prediction
We cannot see beyond a comfortable Crystal Palace victory on Thursday, likely to be far too strong for Shels at Tallaght, even if Glasner does make wholesale changes: Shelbourne 0-2 Crystal Palace.
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace FAQs - UEFA Conference League
How to watch Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace in the Conference League on TV channel?
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace in the Conference League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace in the Conference League on live streaming?
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace 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 Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace in the Conference League?
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace takes place on Thursday 11 December 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PT).