Preview: Lillestrom vs. Royal Antwerp - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side saw off the threat of SJK thanks to a 6-2 aggregate win in the previous round of the qualifiers, while the away side defeated Drita 2-0.

Match preview

Lillestrom made it four wins in a row across all competitions following a 2-0 victory over Sarpsborg 08 at the Sarpsborg Stadion on Sunday.

Geir Bakke's men were in command for the majority of the contest but had to wait until the final 15 minutes to break the deadlock, as late goals from Andre Helland and Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson got the job done.

Having picked up nine of the last 12 points available, the Canaries sit second in the Eliteserien table, three points shy of current league leaders Molde albeit with a game in hand.

They now set out to claim a first-leg advantage in their quest to make it through to the group stages of the second-ever edition of the Conference League.

Off the back of a comprehensive 5-2 triumph in their last home involvement, Thursday's hosts go in search of another impressive attacking display in front of their fans.

Royal Antwerp defeated Zulte Waregem 1-0 at the Bosuilstadion on Sunday to maintain their perfect start to the 2022/23 Jupiler Pro League campaign.

Mark van Bommel's men opened the scoring midway through the second half thanks to Michel-Ange Balikwisha, whose goal prove to be the difference on the day.

With six points from a possible six so far, the Reds are in second place in the league table, trailing Leuven only on goal difference as things stand.

Currently on a four-game winning run away from home which has yielded an aggregate score of 7-1, Thursday's visitors make the journey to Belgium with the wind in their sails.

Lillestrom Europa Conference League form:

Lillestrom form (all competitions):

Royal Antwerp Europa Conference League form:

Royal Antwerp form (all competitions):

Team News

Royal Antwerp's Michel-Ange Balikwisha will be looking to score for a third game on the bounce off the back of a 10-game goal drought prior to that.

Manuel Benson was absent from his side's last outing, and it remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old will be fit enough to play a part on Thursday.

Having scored six times in his last seven matches for Lillestrom, Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson is expected to return to the starting XI here after coming off the bench last time out.

Nigerian forward Akor Adams is the likeliest to give way for Fridjonsson in the lineup, as he was forced off with an injury against Sarpsborg.

Lillestrom possible starting lineup:

Christiansen; Garnas, Ogbu, Pettersson; Knudsen, Kairinen, Matthew, Dragsnes, Smidesang; Fridjonsson, Ibrahimaj

Royal Antwerp possible starting lineup:

Butez; De Laet, Alderweireld, Almeida, Vines; Nainggolan, Gerkens, Yusuf; Balikwisha, Frey, Miyoshi

We say: Lillestrom 1-2 Royal Antwerp

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