Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League conflict between Rigas Futbola Skola and Galatasaray, together with predictions, group information and potential lineups.
In the second spherical of fixtures within the Europa League, Latvian champions Rigas Futbola Skola are set to host Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray on Thursday at Daugavas Stadiona.
The house group are in thirty fifth place of the Europa League desk with no factors after they misplaced 4-1 in opposition to FCSB on September 26, whereas the away facet are in fifth place with three factors and gained 3-1 in opposition to PAOK on September 25.
Match preview
The hosts' defeat in opposition to FCSB was the primary time they didn't both win or progress from a tie within the Europa League of their final 5 video games.
As for the match itself, RFS have been totally outplayed and FCSB created over two xG, produced 18 pictures and generated three large probabilities.
RFS are presently first within the Latvian league with 78 factors from 30 video games and are six factors away from second-positioned Riga FC, who've performed 31 matches.
Manager Viktors Morozs is not going to be too involved together with his group's performances this time period contemplating their defeat final outing within the Europa League was simply the second time they've misplaced of their 14 most up-to-date aggressive matches.
RFS have gained two of their three Europa League video games at house and have additionally gained 18 of their final 20 house fixtures.
Opponents Galatasaray have been dominant throughout their victory in opposition to PAOK, producing 25 pictures and 9 large probabilities and conceding simply two large probabilities themselves.
Their win in opposition to PAOK continued their spectacular 2024-25 marketing campaign, as whereas they didn't qualify for the Champions League by way of the competitors's playoffs, they've gained six of their seven league fixtures this time period.
Cim Bom are first within the Super Lig with 19 factors from a potential 21 and have scored 25 targets and conceded on eight events.
The guests drew 3-3 of their most up-to-date match on September 28 in opposition to Kasimpasa, although boss Okan Buruk did make six adjustments from the group that beat PAOK.
Galatasaray have gained 12 of their final 14 away fixtures, although they've misplaced one, drawn 4 and gained simply one in every of their six most up-to-date video games on the street within the Europa League.
Rigas Futbola Skola Europa League type:
Rigas Futbola Skola type (all competitions):
Galatasaray Europa League type:
Galatasaray type (all competitions):
Team News
The hosts must take care of the absences of defensive midfielder Alfusainey Jatta and ahead Ismael Diomande, who aren't scheduled to return till late December this 12 months and March 2025 respectively.
RFS may even be with out winger Emerson Deocleciano till the center of the month.
Morozs used a again 4 in his facet's most up-to-date match on September 30 in opposition to Jelgava, however contemplating he used a again 5 in opposition to FCSB, centre-backs Herdi Prenga, Daniels Balodis and Ziga Lipuscek may all begin.
As for the guests, they are going to be unable to pick out goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who picked up a purple card in a Champions League qualifier on August 27.
Hakim Ziyech is nearing a return from a muscle damage however is unlikely to characteristic till later in October.
Talisman Victor Osimhen might not be risked on Thursday given he was compelled off with an damage final outing, however Galatasaray haven't but dominated him out.
Goalkeeper Gunay Guvenc is definite to begin, and he could possibly be shielded by centre-backs Davinson Sanchez and Abdulkerim Bardakci.
Gabriel Sara and Lucas Torreira could also be chosen to begin in a double pivot in midfield, whereas Mauro Icardi is more likely to change Osimhen.
Rigas Futbola Skola potential beginning lineup:
Ondoa; Savalnieks, Prenga, Balodis, Lipuscek, Odisharia; Markhiyev, Panic, Zelenkovs; Ikaunieks, Kouadio
Galatasaray potential beginning lineup:
Guvenc; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Sara, Torreira; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Icardi
We say: Rigas Futbola Skola 1-4 Galatasaray
Given that Galatasaray boast important attacking depth even when Osimhen just isn't prepared to begin, they may nonetheless create quite a few probabilities.
As for RFS, it's tough to see them avoiding defeat contemplating the robust type of the guests.
For information evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.
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