The 2025/26 UEFA Conference League final will feature two teams looking to break trophy droughts of different kinds.
While Crystal Palace will be looking to win their first-ever European trophy after winning the FA Cup last year, Rayo Vallecano will look to win what will be the first-ever major trophy in their history. The Leipzig Arena will bear witness to what will be a fascinating battle between two sides with different stories, but the same goal.
For the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League final, here we present our preview and predictions.
Crystal Palace have had a pretty weird season. The historic FA Cup triumph last year meant that they were about to play in the Europa League, but UEFA administrative complications meant that they were demoted to a spot in the Conference League.
The demotion did not fatally dampen their spirits, though, as they have made the most of this opportunity and are now just one game away from winning trophies in consecutive seasons.
They had a rather stop-start league stage campaign, finishing tenth and having to go through the knockout play-off round. But they have not looked back since and have put in convincing performances throughout the knockout stages. Dominating performances against Fiorentina in the quarter-finals, followed by a commanding performance over Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk in the semis, have made them overwhelming favourites coming into the final.
Winning the Conference League will be a fitting farewell for their departing manager, Oliver Glasner, who has been a heroic figure for the club ever since taking charge. Two major trophies in consecutive seasons would be the icing on the cake for a job very well done by the Austrian.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, have been on a journey of their own. Filled with obstacles and hurdles in what is their first-ever European campaign, the Franjirrojos have risen against the odds and find themselves on the cusp of glory.
A club that still do physical ticketing, with an outdated stadium and infrastructure, have had to face a multitude of problems due to financial restrictions, and yet they have defied the odds with a never-say-die attitude and made the final.
They have also had some really slick performances in the Conference League, most notably beating Strasbourg in the semi-finals with defensive solidity
Both teams find themselves on the precipice of history, but it is very hard to look beyond the Eagles as the overwhelming favourites to win this encounter and pick up a third piece of silverware in a span of 12 months.
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Winners Prediction: Crystal Palace
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