MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 23:47:35| >> :600:3773695:3773695:
[monks data]
Bordeaux
Europa League | Playoff Round
Aug 20, 2015 at 7.30pm UK
 

1-0

Khazri (27')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Bordeaux vs. Kairat

Sports Mole previews the Europa League playoff-round clash between Bordeaux and Kairat.

Bordeaux will be hoping to establish a first-leg advantage in France when they take on Kairat in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

The Ligue 1 club have won all of their games in the competition this season, while their opponents have made it to the playoffs for the first time in their history.


Bordeaux

Bordeaux's French head coach Willy Sagnol looks on prior to the French L1 football match Guingamp vs Bordeaux on September 14, 2014© Getty Images

With just two matches separating Bordeaux from a place in the group stages of the Europa League, the club will be hoping that there are no slip-ups on home soil.

They were not involved in the competition last season, while in the previous campaign they suffered a disappointing exit, losing five of their six group matches.

Things went smoothly for them in the third qualifying round earlier this month, as they eased to a 3-0 win at home to AEK Larnaca, before seeing out the job with a 1-0 victory in Cyprus.

However, their Ligue 1 campaign has not started so well, and they kicked off the season with a 2-1 defeat to Reims, thanks to goals in the last 10 minutes from Nicolas De Preville and Theoson Siebatcheu.

Another defeat looked on the cards when they faced Saint-Etienne at the weekend and they were trailing in stoppage time, until Henri Saivet fired in from long-range to salvage a point.

Recent form: WWLD


Kairat

Making the trip to France on Thursday evening are a Kairat side who have already exceeded people's expectations by reaching this stage of the competition.

The Kazakhstan Premier League club caused a shock in the first qualifying round when they beat former European Champions Red Star Belgrade 4-1 on aggregate.

A victory in their next qualifier with Alashkert followed, before they were drawn against much-fancied Aberdeen.

They made a quick start to the first leg and raced into a two-goal lead, before eventually holding on to claim a 2-1 win.

The club then made the long trip to Scotland a week later in a bid to hold onto their advantage and Gerard Gohou struck to increase their lead further. A late goal from Kenny McLean led to an onslaught from the hosts, but the Dons couldn't find another as the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

Recent form: DLWWDD


Team News

Bordeaux's Swedish forward Isaac Kiese Thelinand Bordeaux's Gabonese midfielder Andre Biyogo Poko celebrate at the end of the French L1 football match between Girondins de Bordeaux (FCGB) and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) on February 15, 2015© Getty Images

Bordeaux manager Willy Sagnol is expected to make a number of changes to his side following their under-par displays in the league.

Their lack of a threat in front of goal at the weekend could see Diego Rolan and Isaac Kiese Thelin handed starts in the attack.

Jerome Prior is also expected to continue in between the sticks, with Cedric Carrasso nursing an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Gohou should lead the attack once again for the visitors after his goal in Scotland.

Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Prior, Contento, Pallois, Yambere, Guilbert, Saivet, Chantome, Poko, Diabate, Rolan, Thelin

Kairat possible starting lineup:
Plotnikov, Kuantayev, Soares, Markovic, Gurman, Bakaev, Tymoshchuk, Barbosa, Islamkhan, Ninis, Gohou


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bordeaux 2-0 Kairat

Bordeaux may not have hit top form in the league, but they should have too much quality for Kairat. The Kazakh club have produced some notable displays in Europe this season, although this could be a step too far, which is why we are tipping Sagnol's men to earn a first-leg victory.



ID:240117: cacheID:240117:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7938:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Reim's players celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Evian and Reims on May 9, 2015
Read Next:
Reims come from behind to undo Bordeaux
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio33009
2Spurs33009
3Anderlecht33009
4Ajax32107
5Frankfurt32107
6Midtjylland32107
7Galatasaray32107
8Bodo/Glimt32107
9Lyon32016
10Rangers32016
11Olympiacos32016
12FCSB32016
13Fenerbahce31205
14Porto31114
15Slavia Prague31114
16Real Sociedad31114
17Roma31114
18Hoffenheim31114
19AZ31023
20Man Utd30303
21Plzen30303
22Ferencvaros31023
23Elfsborg31023
24Malmo31023
25Braga31023
26Besiktas31023
27FC Twente30212
28Union SG30121
29PAOK30121
30Ludogorets30121
31Nice30121
32RFS30121
33Athletic Club00000
34M. Tel Aviv30030
35Dynamo Kiev30030
36Qarabag30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!