Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb: UEFA Europa League stats & head-to-head

Yéremy Pino has been a key performer for Crystal Palace in the Europa League this season.

The attacking midfielder is the side's top scorer with three goals, which is joint most in the competition in 2026/2027, one of those having been the crucial first of the match.

Prior to the current campaign, he had only netted in three of his first 40 matches in major European competition (3 goals).

After winning 4-0 on match day one against Lech Poznan, Crystal Palace are winless in their last two Europa League games (D1 L1). They have never gone three in succession without winning in European competition.

One win, one loss, one draw for Crystal Palace in the Europa League this season.

It's fair to say boss Pierre Sage has found life in south London difficult with the added pressure of European football.

Victory over Fulham in the EFL Cup seemed to ease the pressure somewhat on the Frenchman but another defeat in the Premier League last time out means more doubts over the Frenchman.

Can he turn things around or is he the wrong man for the job?

This is Bournemouth's longest ever away trip.

Before this season they had never been further than northern England for a competitive game.

Bournemouth, making their European debut this season, are of only four teams to have won all their Europa League games this season so far.

They have won at Real Sociedad and then beaten Sturm Graz and AC Milan at home.

The Cherries have won the last six games in all competitions - without conceding a goal - after a shaky start to the season.

They have never kept seven consecutive clean sheets before.

Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson has reiterated that he is "fully behind" manager Pierre Sage.

The goalkeeper, who is waiting to make his first European appearance of the season after returning from an ankle injury, also said he is approaching the upcoming run of games "with a lot of optimism".

Speaking in a pre-match news conference, Henderson said: "There is a lot of faith around the group. It is all about togetherness in times like these. I'm sure we will come out the other end of it.

"We have a great group of lads here that roll their sleeves up when times get tough. It isn't the first time we've been here and I'm sure it won't be the last, so we will find a way through it. Everyone is together."

He also called Pierre Sage a "brilliant manager" with an "exciting style", adding: "If we tighten things up at the back, we will be in good shape. I am fully behind him."

Bournemouth boss Marco Rose was asked if he had a message for the fans.

"Prague is a really really nice town. My home town is two hours from here," said the Leipziger.

"It is a really beautiful town, you can see a lot of cultural things, and maybe the night life as well.

"You have good breweries and enjoy your time and be ready for the game tomorrow. We want to present them a win tomorrow."

A Bournemouth fan who is in Prague with his son for the club's furthest away game yet has described it as a "pinch me moment".

Thursday's Europa League game will see the Cherries play Sparta Prague at 17:45 GMT.

Players trained on the pitch on Wednesday evening before the match, where more than 1,000 away fans will roar them on in the Czech capital.

Matt, who is in Prague with his son Felix, told the BBC: "I think it will be a tough game, we're in it away from home. I think the boys will do us proud."

He added: "Whatever happens, pinch me moment, and we're just happy to be here."

Read more from Cherries fans in Prague here.

Bournemouth defender James Hill says the "clear information" given to the players as part of Marco Rose's training regime means decision-making on the ball is "much easier".

Rose said recently that on his day Hill is "one of the best defenders in England" but hinted he could make improvements with the ball at his feet.

Asked what he had been doing to improve his in-possession play, Hill said: "There's so many different things from last year and this year. It's about maintaining the football as well as being on the front foot defending.

"In this modern era a lot of defenders have to be good with the ball as well. The way the training sessions are adapted and laid out to us as players and the clear information we get given going into matchdays makes it a lot easier for us to make decisions on the ball."

The Cherries are enjoying a dream start to their first ever European campaign, winning three from three so far. Hill, signed from Fleetwood Town for a reported £1m fee in January 2022, is relishing the journey.

"It's been incredible," the 24-year-old added.

"Most important thing is we have to continue being the best version of us going into Thursday.

"But, it's been an incredible journey. I think as a boy growing up you imagine playing in these nights and it's a dream for every player to have the opportunity to play in Europe. It's an incredible journey so far but we just have to continue the hard work."

Rose's side could also equal the club record if they keep a seventh consecutive clean sheet against Sparta Prague on Thursday evening.

"We've been really good defensively so far and also been clinical at the other end of the pitch," said Hill.

"We're defending really well as a full team. There's been a lot of players coming in and out of the team because we've got so many games and every single one of them have been ready for that moment. To have those clean sheets gives us massive confidence going into the games and we have to continue that."

BBC Radio Solent's Bournemouth commentator Jordan Clark met some travelling fans who have been soaking up the atmosphere in Prague.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Bournemouth boss Marco Rose has made eight changes from their weekend win over Leeds with Sunday’s clash against Ipswich Town also in mind. The Cherries have won their opening three European games so are in a good position to rotate.

Sparta Prague XI: Surovcik; Hoever,m Soh, Guddal, Suchomel; Macek, Mannsverk, Irving; Singhateh, Brunes, Alcocer.

Subs: Hegyi, Dyntar, Kaderabek, Martinec, Eneme, Vitalyos, Grimaldo, Vydra, Vojta, Zeleny, Jurasek, Sochurek.

Bournemouth XI: Di Gregorio; Smith, Hill, Diakite, Soler, Cook, Christie; Brooks, Adli, Gannon-Doak; Rodriguez

Subs: Petrovic, Allan, Truffert, Evanilson, Adams, Silva, Tavernier, Kluivert, Rayan.

Jean-Philippe Mateta will miss Crystal Palace's next three Premier League fixtures after losing an appeal against the red card he picked up against Tottenham last time out.

But the striker is available tonight to play in Europe and starts for the Eagles.

The Frenchman has particularly struggled for form and fitness this season, scoring just one goal in five appearances, despite netting 16 times across 50 appearances in all competitions last term.

Mateta will now miss Liverpool (H) on 8 November, Coventry City (A) on 21 November and Hull City (H) on 29 November.

There are three changes from the Crystal Palace side who lost 2-0 at Tottenham at the weekend.

Honest Ahanor, Anan Khalaili and Quinten Timber - back after a hamstring injury - replace Axel Disasi, Oscar Mingueza and Dwight McNeil.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is available to play in the Europa League with his suspension only applying to domestic competitions.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Canvot, Richards, Ahanor, Khalaili, Timber, Wharton, Mitchell, Kamada, Mateta, Pino.

Subs: Benitez, Benetton, Nketiah, McNeil, Strand Larsen, Osorio, Mingueza, Williams, Kalembo.

Hoffenheim XI: Baumann, Ozan Kabak, Avdullahu, Asllani, Burger, Lemperle, Prass, Kramaric, Machida, Abraha, Rots.

Subs: Petersson, Philipp, Dulic, Bernardo, Daghim, Lenz, Poller, Fields, Lassic, Wagenbach.

Hello.

It's a Thursday night so that means Europa League and Conference League too.

For the four English teams involved tonight, being in Europe is still somewhat of a dream.

At 17:45 GMT we have Sparta Prague v Bournemouth and Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim.

And at 20:00 it's Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb and Getafe v Brighton.

Europa League

Sparta Prague v AFC Bournemouth - BBC Radio Solent

Conference League

Getafe v Brighton & Hove Albion (KO 20:00 GMT) - BBC Radio Sussex