Preview: Feyenoord vs. Sturm Graz - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the away side set out to make it back to back continental victories and pick up from where they left off last time out.

Match preview

Feyenoord got their Europa League journey underway with a disappointing 4-2 loss against Serie A side Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico last Thursday.

Arne Slot's men found themselves four down thanks to strikes from Luis Alberto, Felipe Anderson and a Matias Vecino brace after which Santiago Gimenez halved the deficit with two goals of his own.

However, De Stadionclub breezed past the challenge of Sparta Rotterdam in their last league encounter and remain second in the Eredivisie standings.

Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are yet to suffer defeat in any of the previous two meetings between the teams.

Ahead of a heavyweight clash against PSV Eindhoven this weekend, Thursday's hosts will be aiming to secure a much-needed victory to help kickstart their European adventure.

Sturm Graz got their Europa League campaign off to a perfect start courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Midtjylland at Merkur-Arena on Thursday.

Christian Ilzer's men opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Emanuel Emegha and that was enough to secure all three points in a hard-fought contest.

Die Schwoazn also got the better of Austria Klagenfurt in a 2-0 win on Sunday and currently occupy third place in the Austrian Bundesliga table.

Having lost just one of their last seven matches away from home across all competitions, Thursday's visitors make the trip to Rotterdam with the wind in their sails.

Feyenoord Europa League form:

Feyenoord form (all competitions):

Sturm Graz Europa League form:

Sturm Graz form (all competitions):

Team News

Stefan Hierlander is suspended for Sturm Graz here after receiving his marching orders for two bookable offences in last week's opening victory.

The away side will also have to make do with the absence of 26-year-old Otar Kiteishvili who remains sidelined since June with a muscle injury.

Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida has missed the last three games with Mononucleosis, and the Dutchman is a guaranteed absentee for Thursday's contest

Sebastian Szymanski was forced off with a hamstring injury in Feyenoord's defeat against Lazio and the Pole is also unavailable for the hosts.

With four goals and one assist in his last three appearances off the bench, Santiago Gimenez will once again be pushing for a start in this one.

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:

Bijlow; Pedersen, Trauner, Hancko, Lopez; Timber, Dilrosun, Kokcu; Danilo, Gimenez, Idrissi

Sturm Graz possible starting lineup:

Siebenhandl; Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Wuthrich, Dante; Gorench, Prass, Horvat, Wels; Boving, Emegha

We say: Feyenoord 2-1 Sturm Graz

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