Vying for a place in the Europa Conference League last 16, Strum Graz meet Slovan Bratislava in the knockout round playoffs, with Thursday's first leg being held at Merkur-Arena.
The clubs clash for the very first time in history, as Europa League drop-outs host a team that finished as runners-up in Group A.
Match preview
© Reuters
Given the pedigree of the two sides that finished above them in Europa League Group A - Atalanta BC and Sporting Lisbon - it was not a major upset when Sturm Graz failed to progress from their group, given that they were eliminated from the group stage in the last two editions.
Finishing third, behind Atalanta and Sporting, saw the Austrian side slip down into the Conference League, in which they must overcome a tough two-legged tie to reach the last 16.
Christian Ilzer's side are playing springtime European football for the first time since they made it to the Champions League second group stage in 2000-01 but will be worried given they have not won a home game in Europe this season.
The Blackies resumed league action this year, salvaging a 1-1 draw with league leaders RB Salzburg in a top-of-the-table clash.
In a fightback against Salzburg to maintain the two-point gap between them, Sturm went behind in the 15th minute when Petar Ratkov found the net. However, Otar Kiteishvili restored parity for Ilzer's side to share the spoils.
Prior to the draw with Salzburg, the Blackies defeated Austria Wien 2-0 to advance into the next round of the Austrian Cup in a bid to defend the title they won last season, but they now return to a competition they will be featuring for the first time since its inception in 2021.
Aside from the 1968-69 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Slovan Bratislava have not claimed continental silverware at all, but they will travel to Austria in a good form after resuming competitive action this year with a convincing victory.
© Reuters
The Sky Blues won 4-0 against Zilina to increase the gap over their fellow title contenders to 10 points in the Nike liga.
Just one defeat in their last 13 competitive matches - a 2-1 defeat against Olimpija in their final Conference League group game - means Vladimir Weiss's side are coming into this match full of confidence.
Finishing second to Lille by four points in Group A - albeit well clear of Olimpija and Klaksvikar - has left them with a challenging playoff contest rather than a direct place in the last 16.
Nonetheless, two victories in their three European away games this season means that Slovan have fared well on the road, and will be confident of taking an advantage into the return leg for back-to-back Conference League round-of-16 appearances.
Team News
© Reuters
Sturm Graz will be without Kjell Scherpen, who is out of the season with an ACL injury while Seedy Jatta is also sidelined with injury.
William Boeving is Sturm's leading scorer in Europe with two goals and should start in attack alongside Manprit Sarkaria.
Tomi Horvat, who has scored seven goals for the Blackies this season, is expected to provide support.
Meanwhile, Slovan's leading scorer in the Conference League with four goals, Aleksandar Cavric, has left on loan to Kashima Antlers, creating room for Spezia loanee David Strelec to start in attack.
Vladmir Weiss, Jaba Kankava and Tigran Barseghyan all found the net in their last league action and should be part of the quartet behind the striker, which also includes Kyriakos Savvidis.
Sturm Graz possible starting lineup:
Scherpen; Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Lavalee, Schnegg; Prass, Gorenc-Stankovic, Kiteishvili, Horvat; Sarkaria, Jatta
Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Blackman, Bajric, Kashia, Wimmer, Zmrhal; Barseghyan, Savvidis, Kankava, Weiss; Strelec
We say: Sturm Graz 1-2 Slovan Bratislava
Slovan Bratislava are comfortable at the top of their domestic league, which means they can concentrate in Europe. The Sky Blues have also been decent on the road in Europe this season, with two victories in three away games.
The hosts failed to win any of their home matches in the Europa league this season, and we expect this trend to continue on Thursday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
