Sports Mole gives an outlook on Thursday’s Europa League clash between FC Zurich and Linfield, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Linfield will try to close a two-goal deficit when they travel to Switzerland FC Zurich at the Letzigrund stadium for the second leg of their European League Qualifier for the third round on Thursday.
The winners of this duel meet Scottish team Hearts in the play-offs later this month to advance to the group stage of the Europa League.
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After failing to win any of the first five competitive games of the new season, FC Zürich celebrated their first win last week in the first leg with a 2-0 win over Linfield at Windsor Park.
Tosin Aiyegun opened the scoring for the visitors in the eighth minute before Italy was international Wilfried Gnonto They doubled their lead with a goal midway through the second half.
Franco FodaDropped back to Europa League qualifying after a 4-5 aggregate defeat by Qarabag in Champions League qualifying, ‘s side are one step closer to reaching the first group stage of major European competition since the 2016/17 season .
Victory in Belfast was followed by a disappointing 3-0 home defeat by Sion in the Swiss Super League last weekend.
The reigning top-flight champions have now failed to win a single of their first four league games without a goal and are currently bottom of the table, seven points behind leaders Young Boys who beat them 4-0 on opening day last month.
As for Linfield, their 11-game unbeaten streak at Windsor Park since January ended when they lost the first leg to Zurich last week.
David Healeys’ men now have their hands full in Switzerland as they attempt to qualify for their first major European tournament since the 1993/94 Champions League.
Just two days after their loss to Zurich, Linfield lost to Crusaders in the NIFL Charity Shield by the same score at the same stadium.
Including last month’s humiliating 8-0 defeat by Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of Champions League qualifying, Linfield has now lost all of their last three competitive games without a goal.
Healy will be keen to rectify his side’s poor form as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa League clash with Zurich as well as Sunday’s opener of the NIFL Premiership.
FC Zurich Europa League form:
FC Zurich form (all competitions):
Form of the Linfield Europa League:
Linfield form (all competitions):
Team News
FC Zurich manager Foda could decide to make a few changes to refresh his side after last weekend’s league defeat by Sion.
With experienced midfielder Blerim Dzemaili absent due to injury Ole Selnaes and Cheick Conde starts could be passed in the middle of the pitch, with the former returning to the first XI at the expense of Donis Avdijaj.
Becir omeragic is ready to fight with Mirlind Kryeziu and Lindrit Kamberi for a spot at centre-back while Antonio Marchesano could attack along with Gnonto and Aiyegun.
As for Linfield, Healy made 11 changes for last weekend’s game against the Crusaders but is expected to return to a similar starting line-up as in the first leg against Zurich.
Kirk Millar was unavailable for last week’s first leg through suspension but the 30-year-old – who was an unused substitute against the Crusaders – could start up the side in attack Robbie McDaid.
A chain of three Chris Shields, Ben Hall and Sam Roscoe is set to protect the goalkeeper Chris Johns between the sticks while Daniel Finlayson and Matt Clarke could add width to Healy’s side as a full-back.
FC Zurich possible starting line-up:
crusher; Boranijasevic, Kamberi, Kryeziu, Aliti; Selnaes, Conde; Gnonto, Marchesano, Okita; Aiyegun
Linfield possible starting line-up:
John’s; Shields, Hall, Roscoe; Finlayson, Fallon, McClean, Mulgrew, Clarke; McDaid, Millar
We say: FC Zurich 2:1 Linfield (FC Zurich wins 4:1 after two legs)
Both sides have been struggling for form in the first few weeks of the new season but Zürich defeated Linfield in the first leg and will be favorites to advance to the next round given their two-goal advantage.
Linfield will be hoping to fight more in Switzerland but we can see the hosts edge out their Northern Ireland counterparts on Thursday.
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top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com predict under 3.5 goals in this game. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their football best tips.Under 3.5: Data