Preview: FC Pyunik vs. Basel - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams are heading into this one with the possibility of progressing into the next round, but it is the hosts who must win to make that happen.

Match preview

FC Pyunik might be third in Group H of the competition right now, but there is a chance that they could wind up winning it after Thursday's match.

The team only sits two points behind Slovan Bratislava, who they played in the most recent Europa Conference League match.

Despite the fact a penalty from Eugeniu Cociuc gave Pyunik the lead, they were unable to hang on to the three points after conceding two goals in the final stages of the game.

Bratislava scored twice in the space of two minutes which has left Yegishe Melikyan's men in a position where they must win to qualify for the knockout stages.

Accomplishing that will require a strong performance than what they managed during the reverse of Thursday's fixture though, as Pyunik lost that match 3-1.

Basel were dominant in that match as a goal from Darian Males and a brace by Wouter Burger led to them taking all three points in game week one of the competition.

Scoring has been the key to Basel's success so far in Europe this season, as no team in Group H has managed more than the nine goals they have scored.

That was on display last week in the Europa Conference League when they scored twice against Zalgiris, who are currently bottom of the group.

However, Basel's two-goal lead was something that they were unable to hang onto as they were pegged back to end up sharing points.

That has left Alexander Frei's men in a difficult position of needing to get a result in the final match of the group, as a defeat would see Pyunik replace them in the top two.

FC Pyunik Europa Conference League form:

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FC Pyunik form (all competitions):

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Basel Europa Conference League form:

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Basel form (all competitions):

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Team News

David Davidyan missed out last week despite the fact he has been an attacking threat throughout the season for Pyunik, and he could end up being in contention for them this time around.

Cociuc is one name that will end up retaining his place in the starting lineup as the attacking midfielder managed to get on the scoresheet in their most recent European outing.

Andi Zeqiri led the line for Basel last week and he managed to get on the scoresheet in that game, and he will likely be given that same opportunity once again on Thursday.

Burger was used as a substitute in that match, but he proved to be a problem for Pyunik in the reverse fixture which the visitors might choose to rely upon once more.

FC Pyunik possible starting lineup:

Yurchenko; Baranov, Juninho, Braktov, Vakulenko, Gonzalez; Dashyan, Harutyunyan, Cociuc; Otubanjo, Juricic

Basel possible starting lineup:

Hitz; Lang, Comas, Kasim, Calafiori; Xhaka, Burger; Ndoye, Augustin, Millar; Zeqiri

We say: FC Pyunik 1-2 Basel

With so much on the line heading into this game, it is no doubt going to be an intense and competitive one from the first minute.

Pyunik might have the home advantage here, but the attacking qualities of Basel should be enough to see them just earn a place in the knockout stages of this competition.

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