Sports Mole gives an outlook on Thursday’s Europa League clash between Linfield and FC Zurich, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Northern Irish outfit Linfeld will receive Swiss champions FC Zurich to Windsor Park for the first leg of their European League Qualification on Thursday evening.
Both sides are out of Champions League qualifying after suffering aggregate defeats to Bodo/Glimt and Qarabag respectively last week.
Table of Contents
game preview
Linfield celebrated an impressive 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Bodo/Glimt two weeks ago but ended up suffering one of the heaviest defeats in their history in the second leg.
The Blues were doomed by an 8-0 second leg defeat in Norway last Wednesday Kirk Millar – who scored the only goal in the first leg – was sent off after 21 minutes while Bodo/Glimt scored four goals in each half to easily advance to the next round.
Former Premier League striker David Healeywho has been in charge of Linfield since 2015 is desperate to get away from his brawl at Bodo and believes his side can advance to the Europa League group stage this season.
Linfield has yet to start defending their NIFL Premiership title but they won both home games in Champions League qualifiers last month and kept clean sheets both times.
©Reuters
Zürich were also defeated in Champions League qualifiers late last month when they suffered a 5-4 aggregate defeat by Azerbaijani club Qarabag.
After the 3-2 defeat in the first leg in Baku, FCZ were only able to draw 2-2 in the second leg last Wednesday and thus dashed hopes of making it into the group stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2009/10.
Zurich, who won their 13th Swiss Super League title last season, have yet to win any of their five competitive games this season, including last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at St Gallen.
Franco FodaThe s side are currently bottom of the top flight after their first three games, six points behind leaders Young Boys who beat them 4-0 on opening day last month.
FCZ will need to tighten their defense to prevail in Belfast on Thursday, having conceded at least two goals in six of their last eight games in all competitions and 12 in their last four away games.
Linfield form (all competitions):
FC Zurich form (all competitions):
Team News
Linfield will be without winger Kirk Millar due to suspension Joel Cooper and Jimmy Callacher both will be sidelined with injuries.
Stephen Fallon could switch to the right flank with both in Millar’s absence Kyle McClean or Cammy Palmer brought to the side to start in midfield.
As for Zurich, experienced midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is doubtful with an injury so Cheick Conde was able to keep his place in midfield.
centre-back Becir omeragic has recovered from a muscle injury and will fight for the start in front of both Lindrit Kamberi or Mirlind Kryeziu.
signing in summer Ivan Santiniwho came on as a substitute last week to score his first goal for the club is hoping to squeeze his way into the striker’s first starting XI Aiyegun Tosin.
Linfield possible starting line-up:
John’s; Finlayson, Halle; Roscoe, Clarke; Mulgrew, Shields, McClean; Fallon, McDaid, Stewart
FC Zurich possible starting line-up:
crusher; Boranijasevic, Kamberi, Kryeziu, Aliti; Selnaes, Conde, Guerrero; Rohner, Santini, Gnonto
We say: Linfield 1:1 FC Zurich
Whilst Zürich will be the favorites for this encounter, Linfield should not be underestimated and has performed well on home soil in recent weeks.
A hard-fought competition will be played on Thursday and both teams can settle for a draw to stay in the tie in next week’s second leg.
For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.
top tip
Our expert Tipster partners at Sporita.com predict an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their football best tips.Away win: data