Cercle Bruggevs.Jagiellonia

Jagiellonia already have one foot in the quarter-finals after claiming a 3-0 victory over 10-man Cercle in Poland last week.

Match preview

Cercle are competing in the knockout rounds after progressing from a UEFA group stage/league phase for the first time in their history.

They won three, drew two and lost just one of their six league phase matches, sealing a top-eight finish and an automatic spot in the last 16.

However, their European campaign quickly turned sour in last week's trip to Poland, which saw them concede three goals without reply after Abu Francis was sent off for two bookable offences just before the hour mark, leaving them with a mountain to climb if they are to reach the Conference League quarter-finals.

In truth, Cercle will be far more concerned with their precarious position in the Jupiler Pro League after they finished the weekend in the bottom four following a 3-1 defeat in Sunday's derby clash against Club Brugge.

As a result, Ferdinand Feldhofer's side have now gone eight competitive games without a win (D5, L3) since beating Dender 1-0 on January 18.

Meanwhile, they have failed to score more than one goal in any of their previous 14 matches in all competitions, reinforcing the idea that they will need something special to overturn a three-goal deficit on Thursday.

Like their hosts, Jagiellonia also progressed from a European group stage/league phase for the very first time, although they finished in ninth place and just behind Cercle on difference, sending them into the knockout round playoffs.

Jagiellonia successfully negotiated their way past Serbian side TSC, claiming 3-1 victories in both legs to ease their way into the last 16.

The Polish club produced another free-scoring display in last week's first leg against 10-man Cercle, with Afimico Pululu scoring either side of a Taras Romanczuk effort to clinch a 3-0 victory.

Adrian Siemieniec's side continued their Ekstraklasa title defence with a 1-0 victory over Widzew Lodz at the weekend, meaning they have now won their last three competitive matches without conceding since losing to Legia Warsaw in the Polish Cup quarter-finals.

Jagiellonia are in third place in their domestic league and just two points adrift of leaders Lech Poznan, who they will face in Sunday's crucial fixture, but first, they will look to close out their Conference League last-16 tie and set up a quarter-final clash against Real Betis or Vitoria Guimaraes.

Thursday's visitors have lost just one of their four away matches in the Conference League this season, while they have not lost by more than three goals since falling to a heavy 5-0 defeat in September's Estraklasa fixture against Lech Poznan.

Cercle Brugge Conference League form:

L

D

W

W

D

L

Cercle Brugge form (all competitions):

L

D

D

D

L

L

Jagiellonia Bialystok Conference League form:

D

L

D

W

W

W

Jagiellonia Bialystok form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

W

W

Team News

Cercle Brugge are unable to call upon the injured duo of Dalangunypole Gomis and Senna Miangue, while Francis will serve a one-match ban after being sent off in Poland last weekend.

Alan Minda was introduced as a half-time substitute in Sunday's derby clash against Club Brugge, but he was forced off just 23 minutes later due to an injury issue, making him a doubt for Thursday's second leg.

After dropping down to the bench at the weekend, striker Felipe Augusto is set to return to the side to lead the line against Jagiellonia.

As for the visitors, they are without the defensive duo of Adrian Dieguez and Michal Sacek, who are ensuring knee and leg injuries respectively.

Midfielder Norbert Wojtuszek is unlikely to be involved after he was withdrawn in the 10th minute of the first leg with an injury problem.

Attacking midfielder Jesus Imaz will continue to offer one of Jagiellonia's main goal threats, having scored 21 goals in 42 competitive appearances this season, including four strikes in nine Conference League matches.

Cercle Brugge possible starting lineup:

Delanghe; Diakite, Ravych, Perrin; Erick, Agyekum, Van der Bruggen, Magnee; Brunner, Somers, Augusto

Jagiellonia Bialystok possible starting lineup:

Abramowicz; Silva, Skrzypczak, Stojinovic, Moutinho; Imaz, Flach, Kubicki; Miki, Churlinov, Pululu

We say: Cercle Brugge 2-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok

Written by

Ben Sully

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