Preview: Club Brugge vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

The Belgian hosts take a narrow advantage into the return leg after claiming a narrow 2-1 victory in Spain last week.

Match preview

Having competed in the Champions League group stage in each of the last five seasons, Club Brugge have had to settle for the Europa Conference League this season.

While it may be regarded as a couple of steps down from their recent battles with Europe's elite, their performance in Pamplona last week suggests they are this European escapade as seriously as their Champions League exploits.

Andreas Skov Olsen opened the scoring in the opening stages of the second half, before Chimy Avila levelled the scoreline in the 78th minute, but Maxim De Cuyper quickly restored his side's lead to clinch a crucial 2-1 victory.

As a result of their success in Pamplona, Club Brugge have now won six consecutive games in all competitions, scoring 25 goals in that period.

The hosts, who have not played since last week's first leg, will be confident of claiming another victory after beating AGF 3-0 and KA 5-1 in their previous two home games in Europa Conference League qualifying.

After ending their 16-year wait for European football, Osasuna's return to UEFA competition did not go according to plan, as they failed to make full use of home advantage in the first leg.

Despite resting several players for Sunday's trip to Mestalla, Osasuna bounced back from their European defeat to claim a dramatic 2-1 over Valencia.

Los Rojillos looked to be heading towards a draw after Valencia's Hugo Duro cancelled out Aimar Oroz's first-half penalty, however, substitute Nacho Vidal proved to be Osasuna's hero, netting a 95th-minute winner to snatch all three points.

Having won both of their opening two away league games, Osasuna will look to draw inspiration from those results when they head to Belgium this week.

If Osasuna can overturn the one-goal deficit, they will secure their place in the group stage of a UEFA competition for the second time in their history.

Club Brugge Europa Conference League form:

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Club Brugge form (all competitions):

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Osasuna Europa Conference League form:

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Osasuna form (all competitions):

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Team News

Club Brugge are still expected to be without the services of, Casper Nielsen, Chemsdine Talbi, Bjorn Meijer, Ferran Jutgla and Kamal Sowah due to injury issues.

After producing an impressive performance in Pamplona, Club Brugge could go with an unchanged lineup for Thursday's return leg.

Denmark international Skov Olsen will be key to the home side's attacking efforts after scoring six goals in his last four appearances.

As for the visitors, Darko Brasanac is their only known absentee, with the Croatian sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

After rotating his squad for Sunday's league victory, Jagoba Arrasate is expected to make a number of changes, with the likes of Johan Mojica, Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torro and Moi Gomez set to return to the starting lineup.

Avil missed the win over Valencia through suspension, but he is expected to feature in the Osasuna forward line for Thursday's encounter.

Club Brugge possible starting lineup:

Mignolet; Buchanan, Mechele, Spileers, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Vanaken, Vetlesen; Skov Olsen, Zinchernagel, Thiago

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Pena, Catena, D. Garcia, Mojica; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Avila, Budimir, Gomez

We say: Club Brugge 2-1 Osasuna

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