Already qualified Ferencvaros travel to Turkey to face Trabzonspor in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, with a lot riding on the game for the hosts.

All three sides below Ferencvaros in Group H can still finish in any position in what looks like a devilishly difficult group to call.

Match preview

© Reuters

With the Super Lig having 19 teams this season, one team always has a week off, and luckily for Trabzonspor, that was them this week, just days before a critical European tie at the Senol Gunes Stadium.

Their destiny is not in their own hands though, as they are one point behind Monaco and level on points with Red Star Belgrade - only above the Serbian champions on goals scored as they have an identical head-to-head record.

A win for Monaco against Red Star will eliminate Trabzonspor, but to ensure they at least fall into the Europa Conference League, they need at least match or better Red Star's result.

Whereas, if Red Star win in France, Trabzonspor must win to get at least third spot, and if it is by the same scoreline or better, they will go through themselves.

This illustrates just how tight and interesting Group H is going into matchday six, as there are so many potential ramifications for all the sides involved, and it is likely to change throughout the night as goals fly in.

Trabzonspor will fancy their chances though, as they are unbeaten at home since Roma won a UECL qualifier here way back in August 2021.

For Ferencvaros, they will enjoy a stress-free night by the Black Sea, as their draw with Monaco last week ensured top spot will be theirs thanks to a superior head-to-head record over the French side.

© Reuters

It will be the first time they have reached the last 16 of a UEFA competition since they were beaten by Dynamo Dresden at that stage in the 1976-77 European Cup.

It was a vitally important result to lift morale in the squad after numerous woeful results in recent weeks for the Hungarians.

A 4-1 loss in Belgrade to Red Star was followed up with two shock defeats domestically: 2-1 at Mezokovesd in the league, and then 3-2 to third-tier Ivancsa in the cup.

With first place in the bag here, they may well take a weakened side to Trabzon, as they have a big game to attend to on Sunday, when they face MOL Fehervar away from home.

Team News

© Reuters

Maxi Gomez is still suspended for Trabzonspor after his red card on matchday three, but Yusuf Yazici will be available despite currently serving a domestic suspension for his dismissal against Besiktas.

Naci Unuvar is a doubt due to illness, as the Ajax loanee has played just 20 minutes since arriving at the end of the summer transfer window.

Edin Visca is still out injured with a fractured arm, while right-back duo Bruno Peres and Serkan Asan are both also expected to miss out once more, so Jens Stryger Larsen should start.

Dorukhan Tokoz will not feature until April with a serious cruciate injury, while Emrehan Gedikli is out until after the World Cup as he recovers from sclerosis.

Even though Ferencvaros are already through, Stanislav Cherchesov made eight changes to the side which drew with Monaco for the game against Zalaegerszeg on Sunday.

Only goalkeeper Denes Dibusz and centre-back pairing for the day Endre Botka and Samy Mmaee started, as Adama Traore and Amer Gojak were left out of the squad entirely.

Mats Knoester could come back in at centre-back after serving a suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards, meaning Botka would move back to his more natural right-back position.

Muhamed Besic came on and got booked against Monaco, so the Bosnian will be suspended here, while his compatriot, left-back Elder Civic, is out injured.

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Ugurcan; Stryger Larsen, Bartra, Vitor Huge, Elmali; Gbamin, Hamsik, Bakasetas; Bardhi, Bozok, Trezeguet

Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Botka, S Mmaee, Knoester, Paszka; Esiti, Vecsei, Mercier; Marquinhos, R Mmaee, Nguen

We say: Trabzonspor 3-0 Ferencvaros

Trabzonspor are formidable at home and know they will potentially need a big scoreline in their favour in case the other result in the group does not go their way.

On the other hand, Ferencvaros have nothing riding on the game and are just playing for pride to extend their lead at the top of the group, and will probably take an under-strength side to Trabzon.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email