Royal Antwerp welcome LASK Linz to Bosuilstadion on Thursday night looking to build on their surprise win over Tottenham Hotspur on matchday two of the Europa League.
The Belgian outfit's victory sent them top of Group J with two wins from two so far, while LASK sit third having won one and drawn one from their opening two games.
Match preview
© Reuters
While Spurs were understandably installed as immediate favourites to win Group J when the drawn was made, the second qualification spot seemed up for grabs and Antwerp could take a giant stride towards the knockout stages with victory here.
Ivan Leko's side sit top of the pool heading into the halfway stage, backing up their opening-day win over Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria with last week's memorable triumph over Tottenham.
Lior Refaelov's goal not only saw them take control of Group J, but it also secured them a sixth successive win across all competitions - although they were quickly brought back down to earth with a domestic defeat at Anderlecht on Sunday.
Antwerp have not lost back-to-back matches since September 2019, though, and will be confident of chalking up a third successive European victory here - something they have not achieved since 1975.
Certainly, if you compare the two sides' performances against Spurs then it points to only one winner on Thursday night, with LASK having lost 3-0 to Jose Mourinho's men in North London on matchday one.
The Austrian outfit did get off the mark last time out, though, securing a 4-3 victory over Ludogorets to keep them in knockout qualification. Another win in this match would leave them joint top of the group, regardless of how Tottenham fare in Bulgaria.
LASK have won only one of their previous six Europa League away games, though, and have already conceded six goals in this season's competition - only two teams have shipped more.
They have also lost both previous meetings with Belgian opposition - against Club Brugge in last season's Champions League qualifying rounds - but arrive in Antwerp having scored 10 goals in three successive victories across all competitions.
Royal Antwerp Europa League form: WW
Royal Antwerp form (all competitions): WWWWWL
LASK Linz Europa League form: LW
LASK Linz form (all competitions): LWLWWW
Team News
© Reuters
Royal Antwerp
Out: Benson Manuel (coronavirus), Alexis de Sart (coronavirus), Bruny Nsimba (muscle), Sander Coopman (ACL)
LASK Linz
Out: Lukas Grgic (suspended), James Holland (calf), Dominik Reiter (ACL)
We say: Royal Antwerp 2-1 LASK Linz
Antwerp have only just edged both of their wins so far, and we expect them to continue that trend when LASK visit on Thursday night. The Belgian hosts could move to the brink of qualification with a win and, with Linz leaking goals freely, they should have enough to do exactly that.
