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Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Rapid Vienna and Wisla Krakow, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Leading by a goal from last week's first leg, Rapid Vienna meet Wisla Krakow in Thursday's return on Austrian soil, as they seek a place in the Europa League's third qualifying round.

Despite going down to 10 men in Poland, Rapid take that slim advantage into the second leg at Allianz Stadion.

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Match preview

© Imago

One goal up when Hungary international Bendeguz Bolla was sent off in Krakow, Rapid Vienna showed their mettle by scoring again soon after the break, as Matthias Seidl added to Isak Jansson's opener.

Although they conceded in the 79th minute - with Marc Carbo edging Wisla back into the contest - the Austrian club ultimately came out on top in their first competitive match of the new season.

Having since won 2-0 in the Austrian Cup, where they took care of business against lowly Neusiedl at the weekend, Rapid will now switch back to their pursuit of a place in the Europa League group phase.

In charge of Die Grun-Weissen since November 2023, head coach Robert Klauss led his squad to sixth place in the Austrian Bundesliga last term, and subsequently finishing fourth in the championship playoffs saw them qualify for Europe.

Twice runners-up in the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Rapid have a proud pedigree in continental competition, and they will expect to take one step closer to the playoff round by beating second-tier opponents on Thursday.

© Imago

Following relegation from the Ekstraklasa in 2022, Wisla Krakow reside in the second division of Polish football, where they finished only 10th in an 18-team league last season.

While they were the second-best offensive side overall, shipping some 50 goals undermined hopes of mounting a promotion push - but a miraculous cup run still marked out the 2023-24 campaign as one to never forget.

Defeating Pogon Szczecin in extra time saw the Biala Gwiazda become just the fifth second-tier team to win Poland's national cup, and the first since 1996; nevertheless, a new manager was appointed for this season.

Former boss Kazimierz Moskal took charge in June, and he kicked off his latest reign with a 4-1 aggregate victory over KF Llapi in the Europa League's first qualifying round.

After then losing to Rapid, Moskal's men were held to a goalless draw in their league opener last weekend, so overturning a deficit and reaching the third round - where they would meet either Ruzomberok or Trabzonspor - seems a tall task.

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Team News

Although his team's progress cannot be taken for granted, Robert Klauss may have one eye on Sunday's big Bundesliga kickoff, when Rapid Vienna will welcome reigning champions Sturm Graz to Allianz Stadion.

At least one change will be made to last week's winning side, as Bendeguz Bolla serves a suspension for his straight red card in Poland and must be replaced at right-back.

Like Bolla, captain Matthias Seidl was on international duty at Euro 2024 earlier this summer, and following his goal in the first leg, he should again start in support of Guido Burgstaller up front.

Meanwhile, Wisla Krakow will be buoyed by news that Angel Rodado has extended his contract ahead of the second leg; the ex-Mallorca forward - one of a five-strong Spanish contingent in the squad - is the visitors' main attacking hope.

Continuing Wisla's dismal disciplinary record from the end of last season, Wiktor Biedrzycki was sent off at the weekend; he is set to start on the bench in Vienna, with Alan Uryga skippering the side from the heart of a back four.

Highly-rated midfielder Kacper Duda is expected to miss out again, due to an injury sustained in pre-season.

Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup:
Hedl; Demir, Cvetkovic, Raux-Yao, Auer; Jansson, Sangare, Grgic; Seidl; Beljo, Burgstaller

Wisla Krakow possible starting lineup:
Chichkan; Jaroch, Uryga, Colley, Mikulec; Gogol, Carbo; Baena, Sukiennicki, Kiakos; Rodado

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We say: Rapid Vienna 2-0 Wisla Krakow (Rapid Vienna win 4-1 on aggregate)

After soaking up some pressure to win last week's opener, Rapid Vienna should complete their task of taking one step closer to the Europa League group stage.

With home advantage on their side, Die Grun-Weissen can march on to the third qualifying round with some room to spare.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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