The third tier of European football will come to a conclusion as the UEFA Conference League final kicks off between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, May 27 from Leipzig, Germany.
Palace finished 15th in the Premier League this season after a late-season collapse, but made a run through European competition as they beat the likes of AEK Larnaca, Fiorentina, and Shakhtar Donetsk en route to the final.
Rayo, meanwhile, managed to pair league and European competition well this season, but finished just outside the UEFA qualifying places in La Liga, as their eighth-place standing saw them fall just a point short.
Thus, only the winner of this match will return to Europe next season with the Europa League berth, while the loser will drop out of continental competition in the 2026/27 campaign.
The Sporting News is following the Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano live score
Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano key moments
Lineups: We have the starting XI for both sides ahead of this European final!
For Crystal Palace, defender Chris Richards is only fit enough for a place on the bench, even as Sky Sports claimed he would start an hour ago. Adam Wharton is good to go from the off after being subbed at halftime of their final Premier League match against Arsenal.
For Rayo Vallecano, there are no surprises, as former Newcastle centre-back Florian Lejeune, now 35 years old, anchors the back line while veteran midfielder Unai Lopez mans the middle of the pitch.
Prematch: Many U.S. fans will be hoping that Chris Richards does not appear in today's match, allowing him extra rest before a critical summer of World Cup football.
However, this match means the world to Crystal Palace. The chance to win a European trophy, even the Conference League, is enormously valuable to a mid-table side like the Eagles. Additionally, the automatic berth in next year's Europa League would allow Palace to continue its trajectory of growth towards becoming an annual top-half side in the English top flight.
Crystal Palace vs. Rayo Vallecano team news
Crystal Palace team news
- American defender Chris Richards suffered a nasty ankle sprain towards the end of the Premier League season and is a major doubt to participate today after Oliver Glasner said there was still swelling to subside.
- Eddie Nketiah suffered a hamstring injury in training that has restricted him to just 12 league appearances this season.
Rayo Vallecano team news
- Rayo Vallecano are hoping that Ilias Akhomach will be fit after returning to training from an adductor injury that sidelined him for the semifinal against Strasbourg.
- Luiz Felipe has a serious hamstring injury that ended his season and left him out for this match, needing surgery which comes with a four-month recovery time.
Crystal Palace trophies won in club history
The first major trophy in Crystal Palace history was won last season, as the Eagles lifted the 2024/25 FA Cup. They then won the ensuing Community Shield to begin the following season, giving them two major trophies in club history.
Crystal Palace have never won a European trophy.
They have also won lower-league trophies, including two EFL Championship titles and one Third Division title.
- KYLE BONN
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