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2025/26 UEFA Conference League Round of 16 Draw - Betting Analysis & Outright Odds

eddy-tora
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Last updated: Fri 27 Feb 2026 17:08
The 2025/26 UEFA Conference League Round of 16 draw has been announced with exciting fixtures featuring clubs from top European leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga. Notable matchups include Lech Poznan vs Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca. The market is wide open, with favorites given smoother paths and dark horses like Strasbourg poised to surprise. Crystal Palace are favorites to win, while Strasbourg, Fiorentina, Mainz, Rayo Vallecano, Shakhtar Donetsk, and AEK Athens are also strong contenders for the trophy.
Eddy Tora 27 Feb 2026
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  • The Conference League round of 16 draw was favourable for Crystal Palace 
  • The Premier League club are deserved favouites in the betting market
  • Mainz and Strasbourg are contenders in the bottom half of the draw
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are the favourites to win the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League (Getty)

The dust has settled in Nyon following the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League Round of 16 draw. Premier League heavy hitters Crystal Palace remain favourites to win the tournament.

Clubs from the top leagues will all fancy their chances of reaching the final in Leipzig, Strasbourg, Fiorentins and Mainz leading the way in the outright betting market.

Round of 16 Fixtures


Team 1TieTeam 21st Leg2nd Leg
Lech Poznan 1 Shakhtar Donetsk 12 March 19 March
AZ Alkmaar 2 Sparta Prague 12 March 19 March
Crystal Palace 3 AEK Larnaca 12 March 19 March
Fiorentina 4 Rakow12 March 19 March
Samsunspor 5 Rayo Vallecano 12 March 19 March
Celje 6 AEK Athens 12 March 19 March
Sigma Olomouc 7 Mainz 05 12 March 19 March
Rijeka 8 Strasbourg 12 March 19 March

Lech Poznan vs Shakhtar Donetsk


Shakhtar Donetsk have a rich Champions League history and the Ukrainian club remain a threat to win the trophy.

With a plentiful supply of talented Brazilian attackers, they will fancy their chances against Lech Poznan and could face Crystal Palace or Fiorentina in the semi-finals. 

AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague


Two highly experienced European campaigners meet for the first time. AZ Alkmaar need to be weary of a Sparta Prague side who are formidable opponents at home.

Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca


Crystal Palace navigated a tricky playoff tie against Zrinjski Mostar and Premier League sides have historically dominated this competition.

While AEK Larnaca are a stubborn side in Cyprus, the sheer financial disparity between the two squads makes a shock exit for the Eagles highly unlikely.

Fiorentina vs Rakow


Fiorentina have been well below their best this season and needed extra time to get past Jagiellonia Bialystok in the playoffs.

Despite the questionable form, the Italian side have reached the Conference League final twice. They possess the individual quality and firepower to reach the quarter-finals where Crystal Palace are likely to await.

Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano


Samsunspor dismantled Shkendija 5-0 on aggregate in the playoffs and a hostile environment in Turkey could test of Rayo Vallecano's credentials.

The La Liga club are favourites to go through, but the Turkish side should not be underestimated.

Celje vs AEK Athens


AEK Athens are aiming to replicate Olympiacos' historic Conference League triumph in 2023/24.

Their defensive solidity and raucous home support make them heavy favorites to progress against Slovenian side Celje who got past Drita 6-4 on aggregate in the playoffs.

Sigma Olomouc vs Mainz


Mainz had a strong league phase and will be pleased after drawing Czech side Sigma Olomouc. Mainz are flying under the radar but they possess the quality of a top-five European domestic league.

Rijeka vs Strasbourg


Strasbourg finished top in the league phase and have the luxury of a superior squad and the advantage of hosting the second leg.

Rijeka were solid in their 4-1 aggregate win over Omonia, but the step up in class to Ligue 1 opposition will be steep.

2025/26 UEFA Conference League Odds


It's no surprise to see teams from the top leagues dominating the betting market. West Ham and Chelsea recently won this competition and Crystal Palace are favoured to be the next English club to lift the trophy.

Strasbourg, Fiorentina, Mainz and Rayo Vallecano are in the mix with Shakhtar Donetsk and AEK Athens realistic propositions to go all the way.

TeamOdds
Crystal Palace
4.00
Strasbourg
5.00
Fiorentina
8.00
Mainz
10.00
Rayo Vallecano
10.00
Shakhtar Donetsk
13.00
AEK Athens
15.00
Sparta Prague
17.00
Rakow
21.00
AZ Alkmaar
21.00
Samsunspor
21.00
Lech Poznan
41.00
AEK Larnaca
51.00
HNK Rijeka
51.00
Sigma Olomouc
81.00
Celje
81.00
Source: Stake.com with odds correct on 27 February 2026.

Verdict

Crystal Palace are deserved favourites and have a great chance of reaching the final. In the bottom half of the draw, I wouldn't be surprised if Mainz get past Strasbourg and go all the way.

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