The most important match in either club's history. On Wednesday evening in Leipzig, Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano play for European football's third-tier trophy — the first major final for both clubs. Both are in only their second season of European competition, yet the two most prolific sides in the competition have made it all the way to the showpiece.

Palace's campaign has been built around Ismaïla Sarr — the competition's top scorer with nine goals, finding the net in each leg of the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final. Manager Oliver Glasner, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, is one match away from a third major trophy in 12 months following the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025. Injury clouds hang over the Eagles: Chris Richards is "50-50" after tearing two ligaments in his ankle, while Adam Wharton has an ankle issue. Rayo arrive in good form — three wins in their last five — and finished eighth in La Liga, missing a European spot by a single point. Alemão scored both goals across the two semi-final legs against Strasbourg. Isi Palazón returns from a domestic ban; Carlos Martín is doubtful with a back injury. The winner gains a place in the 2026/27 Europa League.

Predicted Palace lineup (4-3-3): Henderson; Clyne, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell; Wharton, Kamada, Muñoz; Sarr, Mateta, Pino. Predicted Rayo lineup (4-4-2): Batalla; Rațiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarría; Palazón, López, Valentín, De Frutos; García, Alemão.