Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano have taken very different routes to the final, but the numbers suggest a tight contest between two of the competition’s most dangerous attacking sides.
Both teams have scored freely and won eight matches or ties on their way to Leipzig. They also have identical defensive records – five clean sheets and 12 goals conceded – underlining how little separates them.
Palace reached the final as the competition’s most productive attacking side. Their 25-goal tally is the highest in this season’s Conference League, and no team has taken more shots or hit the target more often.
The numbers behind those chances tell the same story. Palace’s expected goals figure of 31.3 is the best in the tournament, showing how often they work the ball into dangerous areas rather than relying on hopeful efforts.
Their run has been built on pressure. Oliver Glasner’s side play on the front foot, create plenty of chances and force goalkeepers into regular action. Six goals from set-pieces add another layer to their threat, giving them a reliable outlet when open play becomes tight.
Their attacking firepower has carried them through the knockout rounds and remains their clearest route to the first European trophy in the club’s history.
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