Thursday night in Europe sends two English clubs on very different journeys. Crystal Palace fly to Istanbul in need of answers. Brighton head to the Czech Republic flying. So can the Premier League clubs deliver away from home? Jablonec vs Brighton kicks off at 17:45 BST, and Besiktas vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 8pm UK time. Those are the same times in Nigeria.
Besiktas vs Crystal Palace: Eagles Need a Lifeline
Nobody would choose this trip right now. Four days after a 5-0 defeat at Brighton, Palace face a Besiktas side who have won both of their Europa League games and are almost unbeatable at home. At Brighton they were three down within 10 minutes.
The pressure is on Pierre Sage. Reports suggest this game and Sunday’s home meeting with Newcastle could be crucial to his future. The away record is a worry too. Palace have won only two of their last 11 away matches across all competitions, conceding at least two goals in nine of them. Chilwell, Tomiyasu, Henderson and Riad are all unavailable, which leaves the defence thin.
Besiktas have their own problems, but they have quality up front. Captain Orkun Kokcu and winger Milot Rashica are injured, but Dusan Vlahovic is expected to lead the line with Leandro Trossard on the left. The numbers favour the hosts.
Besiktas have scored 18 goals in their last five home matches, and Palace have conceded within the first 10 minutes in each of their last three games. Besiktas sit 4th of 36 in the table, and Palace are 15th
Jablonec vs Brighton: Seagulls Chasing a Perfect Start
Brighton’s mood could hardly be better. They arrive on a six-game winning streak and top of the Conference League standings, having opened with a 4-0 win over Kauno Zalgiris in which Georginio Rutter scored twice. They also hammered their neighbours at the weekend, which is the same 5-0 that left Palace reeling.
Fabian Hurzeler will still make changes. He is expected to rotate, with Evan Ferguson and Stefanos Tzimas out long term. He is also taking nothing for granted. He warned that Jablonec play out from the back and defend well without the ball.
The hosts have some pride at stake. It is the clubs’ first ever meeting, Jablonec are unbeaten in seven European home games, and Brighton begin a run of five away games in 16 days. But Jablonec lost their Conference League opener 3-2 to Freiburg, so they badly need points.
One More English Side in Action
Palace and Brighton are not alone. Lech Poznan v Sunderland is also on the Europa League schedule tonight, so English fans have three away trips to follow. africasoccer
So, Can the Premier League Clubs Deliver?
Brighton look the safest bet. They are in form, rotating with a strong squad, and facing a side that has lost its opener. Palace are the opposite. They are short at the back, low on confidence and facing a team that scores freely at home.
If Palace survive the first ten minutes, they have a chance. If they ship another early goal, Istanbul could become another long night. Either way, tonight’s European football will give a clear answer on who is really rising and who is slipping.
