Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between Tromso IL and Kilmarnock, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Kilmarnock will travel to Romssa Arena on Thursday to meet Tromso IL in the second leg of their Europa Conference League third-qualifying-round tie.

The two teams head into the contest level after a 2-2 draw in last week's first leg in Scotland, with a playoff-round place on the line.

Match preview

Tromso coach Jorgen Vik during the Eliteserien match between Rosenborg and Tromso on August 4, 2024 © Imago

Tromso return to Romssa Arena on Thursday with the aim of moving within one tie of the Europa Conference League league phase, having last successfully navigated continental qualifying in the 2013-14 campaign.

That saw them reach the Europa League group stage and bow out in fourth spot, and after an unsuccessful bid the following season, the Norwegian outfit returned to qualifying for the first time in 10 years this campaign thanks to a third-placed finish in the Eliteserien in 2023.

The Gutan entered in the second round and Finnish outfit KuPS, advancing with a 2-0 aggregate victory thanks to 1-0 wins in each leg, with Lasse Nordas and Jens Hjerto-Dahl on the scoresheet away and at home respectively, setting up their third-round tie with Kilmarnock.

Jorgen Vik and Gard Holme's side travelled to Ayrshire for the first leg last Thursday, and after falling behind early on, they turned the game around and led 2-1 in the second half through Jakob Napoleon Romsaas and Nordas, only to be pegged back in injury time.

Having not been in domestic action since, in what has been a dismal Eliteserien campaign thus far, Tromso now find themselves slightly disappointed to be on level terms given the late leveller last time out but still head into the second leg knowing that a victory on Thursday with home advantage would see them through to the playoff round.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes on September 21, 2023 © Reuters

Their visitors will also set out to follow up last week's draw with a win to progress in qualifying on Thursday, having made their own return to continental competition this term.

After last featuring in Europa League qualifying in 2019, Kilmarnock returned to the same stage thanks to a fourth-placed Scottish Premiership finish last time around, with their sights set on reaching Europe's secondary competition.

Entering in the second round, Derek McInnes's side met Cercle Brugge and fell agonisingly short in a 2-1 aggregate defeat, dropping into the running for the continent's tertiary competition as a result.

Then with two rounds to navigate in order to reach the league phase, Killie welcomed Tromso to Rugby Park for the first leg last week, initially going ahead through Kyle Vassell before Bobby Wales drew them level at two goals apiece in the 92nd minute.

Now on the back of a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to St Johnstone on Sunday, leaving them without a point from two Scottish Premiership outings so far this term having conceded seven goals without scoring, Kilmarnock will travel to Norway with the aim of pulling off an eye-catching victory to book their place in the Europa Conference League playoff round.

Tromso IL Europa Conference League form:

Tromso IL form (all competitions):

Kilmarnock Europa Conference League form:

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

Team News

Stuart Findlay defender of Kilmarnock FC during the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round, 2nd leg match between Cercle Brugge and Kilmarnock F.C. at the Jan Breydel stadium on August 01, 2024 [on August 2, 2024] © Imago

Tromso may field an unchanged starting XI from last Thursday's first leg against Kilmarnock, with Lasse Nordas bound to continue up front, having moved onto nine goals for the season including two in three continental outings with their second in that game.

He will be joined by Jakob Napoleon Romsaas, who also got on the scoresheet in Scotland last time out, while Jens Hjerto-Dahl will offer further attacking support from the midfield.

Hjerto-Dahl should again line up alongside Kent-Are Antonsen and Ruben Jenssen in the engine room, while Anders Jenssen, Tobias Guddal and Vetle Skjaervik will form an unaltered back three.

After another disappointing Scottish Premiership defeat at the weekend, Derek McInnes may opt to make several changes to his Kilmarnock team for Thursday's trip, with Joe Wright at risk of dropping out of the starting XI after being sent off early in that defeat, despite his suspension instead applying to their next domestic outing.

Instead, Lewis Mayo may return to the defence alongside Stuart Findlay and Robbie Deas, while David Watson and Brad Lyons will continue in the midfield if Liam Donnelly remains out of action.

Kyle Vassell will continue to lead the line, having opened his account for the season in the first leg, after hitting 11 goals last campaign, while Marley Watkins and and Bobby Wales, who scored their second last week, will fight to come into the attack from the outset after featuring off the bench against St Johnstone on Sunday.

Tromso IL possible starting lineup:
Haugaard; A Jenssen, Guddal, Skjaervik; Paintsil, Antonsen, R Jenssen, Hjerto-Dahl, Norheim; Nordas, Romsaas

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Mayo, Findlay, Deas; Armstrong, Watson, Lyons, McKenzie; Watkins; Wales, Vassell

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We say: Tromso IL 3-1 Kilmarnock (Tromso IL win 5-3 on aggregate)

Despite their late disappointment last week, Tromso are still in the driving seat heading into their home leg on level terms, and we back them to outclass Kilmarnock in Norway and progress in Europa Conference League qualifying.

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