Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace: Can The Eagles Soar Past Winless Streak to Triumph in Ukraine?

by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga

image Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace: Can The Eagles Soar Past Winless Streak to Triumph in Ukraine?
For the Crystal Palace faithful, the road to the Conference League semi-final was supposed to be a victory lap. It was the dream that finally felt real. But as the squad touches down for the first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, that dream is starting to feel more like a heavy burden. The Eagles are currently trapped in a tailspin that has seen them go three matches without a single win. What should be the most historic night in the club's modern era is now clouded by a single, terrifying question: Have they forgotten how to win?
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The Weight of the Winless Streak

Crystal Palace fans are notoriously loyal, but even the loudest voices in the away end are starting to sound a little shaky. The optimism that defined their early European run is still alive, but may now be facing a grim reality.

They arrived in Poland straight off a 3-1 thumping from Liverpool right after their home draw with relegation-bound West Ham.

Also concerning is The Eagles’ last Conference League game, which they lost 2-1 to Fiorentina away from home.

They scaled through 4-2 on aggregate and must now face even more pressure from a European semi-final night. For a team that hasn't tasted victory since the start of the month, beating a Shakhtar side on a three-game winning streak is something bettors are still contemplating.

Crystal Palace Form: Last 5 Games

Palace Form (Last 5)ResultOpponent
Loss3-1Liverpool
Draw0-0West Ham
Loss2-1Fiorentina
Win2-1Newcastle
Win3-0Fiorentina

Shakhtar: The European Wall

Shakhtar Donetsk may be hosting a European giant by current metrics, but they’re a team that isn’t typically rattled by the big occasion.

Hirnyky (The Pitmen/Miners) have lived in the knockout stages of European football for decades and know exactly how to suffer and exactly when to strike.

And with six wins in their last seven home games for The Pitmen, it’s Palace that might be doing most of the suffering.

The Ukrainian champions haven’t missed European football for a single season in over two decades. Palace, meanwhile, may have a ton of experience against the Premier League’s finest.

However, just as we’ve witnessed with their struggle against “traditionally weaker teams” in the Conference League, The Eagles may not be so ready to soar the skies of Europe. Tonight, they prove the sceptics wrong or right.