Nearly eliminated from the Conference League, LASK Linz hope to close out the league phase with a positive result against Vikingur Reykjavik at Raiffeisen Arena on Thursday, keen to retain faint chances of making the knockout phase playoffs.
Although the 34th-placed hosts need a miracle to squeak through, their Icelandic opponents need a point to end in the playoff positions.
Match preview
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While LASK could still end in the Conference League's top 24, even the most optimistic supporter in Linz understands the uphill battle before Die Laskler.
Winless after five matchdays, Markus Schopp's third-bottom side have two points from a possible 15, enough to delay elimination, unlike the two teams below them — Petrocub Hincesti and Larne — but needing a miracle in the final round of fixtures.
The Austrian side's point tally means they can leapfrog only Istanbul Basaksehir (five points) in the table after matchday six, even if that outcome requires a healthy win over Víkingur and the Turkish side losing resoundingly at Cercle Brugge to erase their goal difference disadvantage — LASK (-10), Basaksehir (-3).
However, that much is uncertain, given LASK's goalscoring woes in the first five rounds in which Die Schwarz-Weissen have netted three goals, fewer than all but the bottom two, and conceded 13, higher than every club except St Gallen (17) in 30th.
Having fired blanks in three of five matchdays, most recently a 7-0 thrashing by Fiorentina, the hosts aim to produce a one-off showing to give themselves a marginal chance of finishing 24th at Basaksehir's expense.
It remains to be seen if the Austrians find their shooting boots against a Vikingur side that have responded impressively to matchday one's 4-0 reverse at Omonia.
Arnar Gunnlaugsson's men went three unbeaten after that opening loss, winning two and playing out a draw, before coming unstuck on home turf in last week's 2-1 loss to Djurgardens.
The 19th-placed visitors have seven points after five matches and need a draw in Linz to steer clear of the cluster of clubs with four points below 24th (Celje, Molde, TSC, Astana, HJK, St Gallen and Noah) and secure their place in February's knockout playoffs.
Having been unsuccessful in previous attempts to participate in the Conference League group stage in 2022 and last year, Vikes are one positive result from enhancing their prospects of playing in the knockout rounds proper, albeit via the playoffs, in their debut involvement.
Playing against an opponent with minimal chance of progressing, Gunnlaugsson's men will back themselves to secure the needed result at Raiffeisen Arena.
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Team News
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LASK have a raft of ineligible players: Ibrahim Mustapha, Andres Andrade, Tomas Tavares, Clemens Steinbauer and Ivan Ljubic, while Lenny Pintor (groin), Andres Andrade, Moses Usor (both have knee issues) and Philipp Ziereis are anticipated to miss out due to injury.
Jorg Siebenhandl should return between the sticks after missing last week's 7-0 defeat by Fiorentina, replacing Lukas Jungwirth.
Valon Berisha has netted two of Die Laskler's three goals in the league phase, and the 31-year-old aims to be decisive for the low-scoring hosts.
Vikingur, whose domestic campaign ended in October, have a healthier squad, with Pablo Punyed (knee) the away side's only reported absentee.
While Gunnlaugsson's side have doubled LASK's goal tally in the league phase, the Icelandic side have had five different goalscorers: Ari Sigurpalsson (two), Karl Fridleifur Gunnarsson, Gunnar Vatnhamar, Danijel Dejan Djuric and Nikolaj Hansen.
LASK Linz possible starting lineup:
Siebenhandl; Stojkovic, Talovierov, Smolcic, Bello; Zulj, Jovicic, Bogarde; Flecker, Entrup, Berisha
Vikingur Reykjavik possible starting lineup:
Jonsson; Atlason, Ekroth, Fjoluson, Gunnarsson; Andrason, Thordarson; Agnarsson, Thrandarson, Ingimundarson; Djuric
We say: LASK Linz 1-1 Vikingur Reykjavik
While LASK have the worst road record in the competition, they have played out two draws in front of their supporters.
Despite their marginal chances of progressing, another stalemate could be in the offing when they take on Vikingur, a result that would see Vikas seal their playoff spot.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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