Preview: Zrinjski Mostar vs. LASK Linz - prediction, team news, lineups

The Bosnian-Herzegovinian hosts will feel that they can qualify for a group-stage spot in this competition, even though they already have a Europa Conference league place secured as backup.

Match preview

In recent seasons, Zrinjski have gone deep into the qualifying rounds of European competition, only to lose out on penalties when they were beginning to dream of a first-ever appearance in the group stages.

With the creation of the Europa Conference League, Zrinjski are already guaranteed to make history, but the Bosnian-Herzegovinian outfit recognise the chance that is in front of them on Thursday.

Getting over the line will not be easy. Krunoslav Rendulic's side found themselves 2-0 down within 12 minutes in the first leg in Austria, yet halving the deficit 19 minutes from time has kept the club in this tie.

The Nobles have been nothing but inconsistent throughout August, following each of their three wins with a defeat, a run that would be extended if they lose on Thursday.

Nevertheless, Zrinjski have netted an astonishing 14 goals in their last three home fixtures, albeit the one at the weekend against Zvijezda 09 ended 5-3.

From LASK's perspective, they would have been hoping to have established a wider advantage than one goal before what could prove to be a testing away leg.

Head coach Thomas Sageder cannot be satisfied with how his team have started the season, only winning two of their opening five fixtures in the Austrian Bundesliga.

That said, the Black-Whites are now on an unbeaten run of four games in all competitions and they have conceded just twice during those fixtures.

Nullifying opponents playing with such confidence in the final third will prove key on Thursday, but Sageder's side are yet to prevail on their travels in the league during 2023-24.

Zrinjski Mostar Europa League form:

W

L

L

Zrinjski Mostar form (all competitions):

LASK Linz Europa League form:

W

LASK Linz form (all competitions):

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Team News

Hrvoje Barisic is available again for Zrinjski after sitting out the first leg through suspension.

However, the centre-back may not necessarily return to the starting lineup after Zrinjski recovered from their early setbacks in the first leg.

Goalkeeper Marko Maric should return between the sticks after missing the weekend's domestic fixture, a game in which forward Nemanja Bilbija scored a hat-trick.

Having named an unchanged starting lineup for the win over Austria Vienna, Sageder could select the same players from the previous two games.

Lenny Pintor is an alternative for Moses Usor having been introduced into the attack at half time of that victory.

Captain Robert Zulj scored both goals during the first leg and now has five strikes for the season to his name.

Zrinjski Mostar possible starting lineup:

Maric; Corluka, Senic, Batarelo, Ticinovic; Canadjija, Ramic; Malekinusic, Ivancic, Cuze; Bilbija

LASK Linz possible starting lineup:

Lawal; Luckeneder, Ziereis, Andrade; Flecker, Jovicic, Zulj, Horvath, Renner; Usor, Mustapha

We say: Zrinjski Mostar 1-2 LASK Linz (LASK Linz to win 4-2 on aggregate)

Mostar must find a balance between attacking this fixture and ensuring that they do not give Linz a greater lead than they already possess. That may prove difficult with the enthusiasm involved, though, and we are backing the more illustrious visitors to claim their place in the group stages.

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