Ferencvaros are set to host Borac Banja Luka on Thursday at Groupama Arena in the first leg of the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round.
The home side were knocked out of the third round of the Champions League qualifiers by FC Midtjylland, while the visitors beat PAOK in the third round of the Europa League qualifiers.
Match preview
![Sebastian Herera of Borac Banja Luka during the UEFA Champions League 2nd qualifying round, 2nd leg football match between Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and PAOK Thessaloniki on July 31, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/sebastian-herera.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sebastian Herera of Borac Banja Luka during the UEFA Champions League 2nd qualifying round, 2nd leg football match between Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and PAOK Thessaloniki on July 31, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
Hungarian champions Ferencvaros entered the Europa League qualifiers after they lost 3-1 on aggregate against FC Midtjylland in the Champions League playoffs.
The hosts lost the first leg 2-0 on August 6, and while they had a respectable 15 shots in comparison to Midtjylland's 17, many of their efforts were relatively tame.
Ferencvaros will be particularly concerned that their opponents managed to generate several good chances despite having just 39% possession.
Though they only managed to draw 1-1 in the second leg, their overall performance was much improved, with 12 shots inside the penalty area compared to Midtjylland's five.
Ferencvaros are currently third with nine points in their domestic league after three matches, though they have a game in hand on both teams above them.
The Green Eagles come into the clash having won five of their last seven games, and they are unbeaten in their last 11 competitive matches at home.
![Franculino (7) of FC Midtjylland and Ibrahim Cisse (27) of Ferencvaros seen during the UEFA Champions League qualification match between FC Midtjylland and Ferencvaros at MCH Arena in Herning on August 6, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/franculino-and-ibrahim-cisse.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Franculino (7) of FC Midtjylland and Ibrahim Cisse (27) of Ferencvaros seen during the UEFA Champions League qualification match between FC Midtjylland and Ferencvaros at MCH Arena in Herning on August 6, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
Opponents Borac Banja Luka lost 4-2 on aggregate against PAOK in the second round of the Champions League qualifiers.
In truth, the visitors were outclassed in both legs, with PAOK producing 18 shots across both games in contrast to Borac Banja Luka's six.
This figure includes just one shot in the second leg on July 31, a match that they needed to win considering they lost the first leg 3-2 on July 24.
However, the Bosnian-Herzegovinian top-flight champions bounced back from these defeats with a 4-3 aggregate win against Klaksvik in the Europa League's third qualifying round.
It should be noted that they did lose the first leg 2-1 on August 8, though they were forced to play with 10 men from the 36th minute after Sebastian Herrera was sent off for violent conduct.
Borac Banja Luka have lost their last three away games in European competitions and have in fact lost four of their previous six matches on the road.
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Team News
![Ferencvaros' Raul Gustavo during the UEFA Champions League, second qualifying round, second leg match at Park Hall, Oswestry, on July 30, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/raul-gustavo.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Ferencvaros' Raul Gustavo during the UEFA Champions League, second qualifying round, second leg match at Park Hall, Oswestry, on July 30, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
Ferencvaros will be unable to select centre-back Raul Gustavo, who is absent due to his late red card against FC Midtjylland on August 13.
Striker Aleksandar Pesic is also a doubt for the game after he was subbed off due to injury in that match, and he could be replaced by Fortune Akpan Bassey.
As for the visitors, they will be without defender Sebastian Herrera due to suspension and could select Marko Vukcevic in his place.
Borac Banja Luka may also start Bart Meijers, Jurich Carolina and Zoran Kvrzic in defence.
Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Makreckis, Cisse, Knoester, Ramirez; Rommens, Abu Fani; Ben Romdhane, Zachariassen, Traore; Bassey
Borac Banja Luka possible starting lineup:
Siskovski; Kvrzic, Meijers, Carolina, Vukcevic; Grahovac, Skorup; Kulasin, Savic, Sreckovic; Lukic
We say: Ferencvaros 2-1 Borac Banja Luka
It would not be surprising if Thursday's match was a close affair, with both sides creating opportunities against somewhat vulnerable defences.
However, Ferencvaros' performance in the second leg against Midtjylland was promising, and if they can replicate aspects of that showing against Borac Banja Luka, then they should be considered favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
