Preview: FC Zurich vs. Linfield - prediction, team news, lineups

The winners of this tie will face Scottish outfit Hearts in the playoff round later this month in a bid to progress to the Europa League group stage.

Match preview

After failing to win any of their opening five competitive matches of the new season, FC Zurich claimed their first victory when they beat Linfield 2-0 at Windsor Park in the first leg last week.

Tosin Aiyegun opened the scoring for the visitors in the eighth minute, before Italy international Wilfried Gnonto doubled their lead with a strike midway through the second half.

Franco Foda's side, who have dropped down into the Europa League qualifiers after losing 5-4 on aggregate to Qarabag in Champions League Qualifying, have moved one step closer to reaching their first group stage of any major European competition since the 2016-17 campaign.

Zurich have since followed up their win in Belfast with a disappointing 3-0 home defeat against Sion, in the Swiss Super League last weekend.

The reigning top-flight champions have now failed to win each of their opening four league matches without scoring, and they currently sit at the foot of the table, seven points behind leaders Young Boys who beat them 4-0 on the opening day last month.

As for Linfield, their 11-game unbeaten run at Windsor Park, dating back to January, came to an end when they lost the first leg to Zurich last week.

David Healy's men now have it all to do in Switzerland as they bid to qualify for their first major European tournament since the 1993-94 Champions League.

Just two days after their defeat to Zurich, Linfield lost by the same scoreline in the same stadium to Crusaders in the NIFL Charity Shield.

Including their humbling 8-0 defeat against Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier last month, Linfield have now lost each of their last three competitive matches without scoring.

Healy will be keen to rectify his side's poor run of form as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa League tie with Zurich as well as their opening NIFL Premiership clash on Sunday.

FC Zurich Europa League form:

FC Zurich form (all competitions):

Linfield Europa League form:

Linfield form (all competitions):

Team News

FC Zurich boss Foda may decide to make a couple of changes to freshen up his side following last weekend's league defeat to Sion.

With experienced midfielder Blerim Dzemaili set to remain sidelined through injury, Ole Selnaes and Cheick Conde could be handed starts in the middle of the pitch, with the former returning to the first XI at the expense of Donis Avdijaj.

Becir Omeragic is set to battle with Mirlind Kryeziu and Lindrit Kamberi for a place at centre-back, while Antonio Marchesano could line up in attack along with Gnonto and Aiyegun.

As for Linfield, Healy made 11 changes for last weekend's game against Crusaders, but he is expected to revert back to a similar starting lineup to the one named for the first leg against Zurich.

Kirk Millar was unavailable for last week's first leg due to suspension, but the 30-year-old - who was an unused substitute against Crusaders - could be handed a start in attack alongside Robbie McDaid.

A back three of Chris Shields, Ben Hall and Sam Roscoe is set to protect goalkeeper Chris Johns between the sticks, while Daniel Finlayson and Matt Clarke could provide width in Healy's side as wing-backs.

FC Zurich possible starting lineup:

Brecher; Boranijasevic, Kamberi, Kryeziu, Aliti; Selnaes, Conde; Gnonto, Marchesano, Okita; Aiyegun

Linfield possible starting lineup:

Johns; Shields, Hall, Roscoe; Finlayson, Fallon, McClean, Mulgrew, Clarke; McDaid, Millar

We say: FC Zurich 2-1 Linfield (FC Zurich to win 4-1 on aggregate)

Both sides have struggled for form in the opening weeks of the new season, but Zurich got the better of Linfield in the first leg and will be the favourites to progress to the next round considering their two-goal advantage.

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