Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

UE Santa Colomavs.RFS

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 August 2024, 13:00
UE Santa Coloma will take on Rigas Futbola Skola at the Estadi Nacional on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round matchup.

The hosts dropped into the Europa League after a 4-0 aggregate loss to FC Midtjylland in the second qualifying round for the Champions League, while the visitors lost 7-1 to Bodo/Glimt in their tie.

Match preview

UE Santa Coloma enjoyed an excellent last season, lifting their first-ever Primera Divisio title with a three-point lead over second place after taking 66 points from 27 games, losing just one league match all season.

They also won the Copa Constitucio after beating FC Pas de la Casa 1-0 in the final thanks to a 116th-minute goal from Faysal Chouaib, and have already created further history this season with their first-ever victory in European competition, beating KF Ballkani in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

UE Santa Coloma were outmatched by FC Midtjylland in the second qualifying round for Europe's most prestigious competition, resulting in them dropping into the Europa League third qualifying round.

New boss Ramon Caldere, who was appointed in June ahead of the new campaign, will be hoping his side can produce a much better performance against RFS than that 4-0 aggregate defeat, where Midtjylland had complete control of the tie.

Similarly to their hosts, RFS dropped out of the Champions League second qualifying round after a disappointing 7-1 aggregate defeat to Bodo/Glimt, following their initial 7-0 win against Larne FC in the first round.

Unlike UE Santa Coloma, the visitors are already midway through their league season and they are currently on course to win just their third-ever league title as they sit top of the division by four points with 62 points from 24 matches.

Viktors Morozs's side won their first-ever Latvian league title in 2021, following that up with their second title last year, narrowly beating rivals Riga FC by one point.

Morozs will be hoping to continue creating history with RFS by becoming the first Latvian side to qualify for a European competition on two occasions, and their fantastic away record of one loss in their last nine will give them plenty of confidence.

UE Santa Coloma form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

Rigas Futbola Skola form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts will be without Pablo Perez in their defence for this game after the central defender was sent off for an accumulation of yellow cards in their last game against Midtjylland.

Youssef El Ghazoui is also a doubt after the midfielder was forced off with an injury in the 76th minute of that defeat, leaving Jorge likely to replace him in the middle of the park.

As for RFS, they are expected to be without Alfusainey Jatta as the midfielder continues his recovery from a severe injury that has kept him sidelined for an extended period.

Ismael Diomande has been in hot form in the league in recent outings, scoring seven in his last nine appearances, and the striker is anticipated to lead the line here.

UE Santa Coloma possible starting lineup:

Campagne; Lopez, Chete, Garcia, Blasco; Joaquinete, Jorge, Mohedano, Gomez; El Bakkali, Jesus

Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:

Ondoa; Savalnieks, Balodis, Lipuscek, Njie; Panic, Markhiyev; Ikaunieks, Kigurs, Kouadio; Diomande

We say: UE Santa Coloma 0-2 Rigas Futbola Skola

Previews by email

Top News

23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have a psychological advantage in the title race and can truly stake their claim as favourites by capitalising on their rivals' weaknesses over the coming weeks in the Premier League, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga Barcelona were stunned on Saturday evening as Celta Vigo scored twice in the final exchanges of their contest to secure a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides hoping to emerge from a rut will go head-to-head in the Turkish Super Lig when Trabzonspor host Adana Demirspor at Papara Park. 23 November 2024 talksport.com With the November international break in the rear-view mirror, the Premier League returned with a bang. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have set an unwanted losing record after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday evening. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea may forcing themselves into the title race, but Troy Deeney believes a glaring issue 'is going to cost them' down the track. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A former Aston Villa captain is set to become an MLS manager this week. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have lost their fifth consecutive game in all competitions after suffering a chastening 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham wasn't what Pep Guardiola had in mind when it came to celebrating his new Manchester City contract. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Senior figures at Manchester United have allegedly concluded that Joshua Zirkzee 'is not good enough', with the club having 'serious doubts' when it comes to the Netherlands international. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola has made unwanted history after Manchester City fell two goals behind after 20 minutes in their 4-0 defeat to Tottenham. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has hinted that Marcus Rashford will have an important role to play under him, with the Portuguese insisting that the attacker can play in all three positions in the final third of the field. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City's clash with Tottenham kicked off late after Rodri's Ballon d'Or presentation. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly made contact with legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss a possible move for the Al-Nassr star next year. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A frustrated Leicester City boss Steve Cooper confirmed he will write to the PGMOL after his side's 2-1 loss to Chelsea. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to make it successive victories in La Liga when they continue their 2024-25 campaign with a clash against newly-promoted Leganes on Sunday night. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Ethan Nwaneri became Arsenal's second youngest goalscorer in the Premier League in a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Joao Pedro was the star of the show as ten-man Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in Saturday's Premier League contest at the Vitality Stadium. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in Saturday afternoon's pulsating Premier League contest at Villa Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal snapped their four-game Premier League winless streak in Mikel Arteta's 250th match in charge of the club as they earned a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford picked up their first Premier League away point of the season at the sixth attempt as the 10-man Bees held a wasteful Everton to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has explained how he wants Enzo Fernandez to adapt his game to fit seamlessly into his preferred system. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a total of three changes to his starting lineup for this evening's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Portsmouth's trip to Blackburn was postponed less than four hours before kick-off on Saturday. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off after grabbing the throat of Coventry City forward Norman Bassette. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Ajax defender Devyne Rensch next summer, with the Netherlands international potentially being available on a free transfer. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has reportedly agreed to sign a new long-term deal when he turns 18 next year. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that the club will not make any firm plans when it comes to the January transfer window until after their clash with Sevilla on December 22. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Fernandez marked his return to the starting XI with a goal and an assist as Chelsea ran out deserved 2-1 winners over Leicester City in Saturday lunchtime's Premier League kickoff at the King Power Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Mikel Arteta left Arsenal fans confused with a much-changed starting XI to face Nottingham Forest.