Two teams battling for a place in the top eight of the Conference League table are set to come together on Thursday evening as Rapid Vienna host Copenhagen at the Allianz Stadion.
The hosts are ninth in the league phase table with 10 points, only outside the top eight on goal difference, while the visitors are 16th with eight points after five games.
Match preview
© Imago
Rapid Vienna enjoyed a strong start to the 2024-25 season, winning 14 of their first 21 matches across all competitions, alongside five draws and just two losses, one of which contributed to their Europa League playoff round elimination, as they fell 4-3 on aggregate to Braga.
However, their form has suffered a major decline in recent weeks, managing just two wins from their last 10 outings, losing three and drawing five, including failing to triumph in any of their last five.
Those results have seen them fall to third in the Austrian Bundesliga, eight points behind first-placed Sturm Graz, and ninth in the Conference League, though they are only outside of the top eight on goal difference.
Aiming to return to winning ways in this competition in one final push for a spot in the top eight, Rapid Vienna will host a Copenhagen side that have hit form in the Conference League in their recent fixtures.
Despite enjoying a phenomenal run in the Danish Superliga that sees Copenhagen sitting first in the table with 33 points from 17 games, after nine wins, six draws and two defeats, they initially struggled in the Conference League.
Copenhagen lost their opening league phase fixture against Jagiellonia Bialystok, followed by back-to-back draws with Real Betis and Istanbul Basaksehir, but they finally won their first match against Dinamo Minsk and have since defeated Hearts.
Those results leave them 16th in the table and just two points outside the top eight, meaning a win here is a necessity if they are to have any chance of moving into the top eight places.
They will have to be wary of Rapid Vienna's strength at home though, with the hosts having lost just once at home across the Conference League and Austrian Bundesliga this campaign, although Copenhagen are undefeated in their last nine away games.
Team News
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The hosts will be without Bernhard Zimmermann (cruciate ligament), Ferdy Druijf (knee), Guido Burgstaller (head) and Ryan Mmaee (muscle) for this match due to ongoing injury issues.
Having fallen to a disappointing defeat to Omonia Nicosia last time out, Robert Klauss could name a number of changes to his starting team for this one.
Elias Achouri, Nicolai Boilesen, Rasmus Falk and Roony Bardghji are all likely to be absent for the visitors due to injury issues that have kept them out of the side for a prolonged period.
Copenhagen have enjoyed a phenomenal run of results in recent weeks, remaining undefeated in their last 14 across all competitions, meaning Jacob Neestrup may name a similar team here.
Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup:
Hedl; Bolla, Cvetkovic, Raux-Yao, Auer; Kaygin, Grgic; Bischof, Seidl; Beljo, Wurmbrand
Copenhagen possible starting lineup:
Trott; Diks, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Lopez; Clem, Delaney; Elyounoussi, Claesson, Robert; Chiakha
We say: Rapid Vienna 1-2 Copenhagen
The visitors are in fantastic form having avoided defeat in their last 14, while the hosts have failed to win in their past five, leading us to believe Copenhagen will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
