Kilmarnock will host Copenhagen at the BBSP Stadium Rugby Park on Thursday evening for the second leg of their Europa Conference League playoff round tie.
The hosts will have to overcome a two-goal deficit if they are to qualify for the newly revamped league phase after a 2-0 defeat in Denmark last week.
Match preview
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Since being relegated from the Scottish Premiership in 2020-21, Kilmarnock have quickly risen back up the league standings, starting when they secured promotion as champions of the Scottish Championship in 2021-22.
They found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle in their first year back in the top flight, finishing 11th with 31 points from 33 pre-split season fixtures, but narrowly survived in the Scottish Premiership as they moved to 10th in the post-split season, ending six points above the drop zone.
Kilmarnock followed that with an immense 2023-24 campaign, finishing fourth in both the pre-split and post-split seasons to secure their highest league finish since placing third in 2018-19.
However, their positive form saw a major decline in the post-split fixtures last year, winning just one of their five games, and that form has continued into the new term.
Nine games into the 2024-25 season and Derek McInnes's side have managed just one victory, already being knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers in the second round and on the brink of an exit from the Europa Conference League after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their playoff tie.
After three Scottish Premiership matches, Kilmarnock remain the only team yet to put a point on the board, leaving them at the foot of the table, and McInnes will know that his side need to improve their form if he is to keep his job as manager.
Kilmarnock were fantastic at home last season, losing just four of their 19 Scottish Premiership matches at the BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, and McInnes will be hoping they can use the home advantage to get them over the line with a win on Thursday.
In stark contrast, Copenhagen have had a stellar start to their 2024-25 campaign, losing just one of their first 11 games across all competitions, although that defeat came in their most recent match, a 3-2 loss to Nordsjaelland.
Jacob Neestrup, who has been in charge since September 2022, won the Danish Superliga in his first season in charge but failed to replicate that achievement last term, falling to a third-placed finish, their lowest since ending fourth in 2017-18.
Neestrup will, therefore, be looking for a much-improved year from his side in the Danish Superliga, but they already trail league-leading Silkeborg IF by four points after just six matches.
Following their first defeat of the season last time out, Copenhagen will be aiming to return to winning ways against a struggling Kilmarnock side, and secure their place in a European competition for the fourth consecutive year.
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Team News
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Kilmarnock will remain without the services of long-term absentee Kyle Magennis, who has been on the treatment table since December due to a hamstring injury, though the midfielder is expected to return in September.
Fraser Murray has also not made an appearance since their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup after being forced off with injury, while Stuart Findlay was substituted in the final minutes of their recent loss to Aberdeen, leaving both in doubt here.
Goals have been hard to come by for Kilmarnock this season, yet to score in the league and netting only four times in their nine matches so far, leaving McInnes likely to switch his attacking options in search of a solution.
As for Copenhagen, they are facing an injury crisis with a lengthy list that includes Andreas Cornelius, Birger Meling, Jordan Larsson, Nicolai Boilesen, Rodrigo Huescas, Roony Bardghji, Thomas Delaney, and William Clem.
Talented youngster Orri Oskarsson has already scored seven goals in 11 appearances this term and is likely to retain his place in attack alongside Mohamed Elyounoussi and Elias Achouri.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
O'Hara; Burroughs, Wright, Mayo, Bainbridge; Lyons, Donnelly, Watson; Armstrong, Watkins, Anderson
Copenhagen possible starting lineup:
Trott; Gocholeishvili, Vavro, Pereira, Lopez; Froholdt, Diks, Mattsson; Elyounoussi, Oskarsson, Achouri
We say: Kilmarnock 0-2 Copenhagen
Kilmarnock have struggled to convert their chances this term, while the visitors have been ruthless in front of goal, scoring 22 in 11 games, leading us to believe the visitors will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
