Preview: FC Utrecht vs Servette – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Two goals up from the first leg, FC Utrecht will aim to finish the job on Thursday, as they host Servette in the third round of Europa League qualifying.

The Dutch club’s 3-1 win last week puts them on track for a place in the playoffs, while their Swiss visitors need to conjure up an improbable comeback.

Match preview

Despite going behind within 12 minutes of kickoff in Switzerland, Utrecht rallied superbly in the second half, scoring three times during a clinical 10-minute spell just after half time.

Seizing full control of the tie, an own goal sparked the turnaround at Stade de Geneve, with Siebe Horemans and Gjivai Zechiel then finding the net.

Following up a comprehensive 7-2 aggregate win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the second round, the Domstedelingen therefore edged closer to the main draw of a European tournament for the first time since their 2010-11 run in the Europa League – one which saw the Dutch side take on Liverpool and Napoli.

Six years since their last qualifying attempt, Utrecht earned their place in UEFA’s second-tier tournament after Ron Jans led his men to a surprise fourth-placed finish in last season’s Eredivisie.

Having taken their tally to 14 goals in four competitive matches this term by beating Heracles in Sunday’s league opener, with Zechiel on target again, they will start strong favourites to meet either Zrinjski or Breidablik in the playoffs.

Though Jeremy Guillemenot’s opening goal promised so much, Servette’s second-half meltdown on home turf leaves them with a metaphorical mountain to climb in the lowlands.

They now have to pull off one of their most memorable European fightbacks to avoid featuring in the Conference League playoffs for a second successive campaign.

All in all, it has been a miserable start to the season for the Geneva-based club: after finishing second in the Swiss Super League last term, they were given a shot at Champions League qualification but then fell at the first hurdle.

To make matters worse, Les Grenats also kicked off their domestic campaign with back-to-back defeats, leading to the dismissal of head coach Thomas Haberli.

After drawing 1-1 with Grasshopper at the weekend, while under interim management, it is hoped the appointment of ex-Lille boss Jocelyn Gourvennec will get them back on track.

FC Utrecht Europa League form: W W W

FC Utrecht form (all competitions): W W W W

Servette Europa League form: L

Servette form (all competitions): W L L L L D

Team News

As Utrecht have stuck with the same starting XI for their wins over Servette and Heracles, few – if any – changes are expected on Thursday.

Derry John Murkin and Dani de Wit both recorded one goal involvement as substitutes at the weekend, so they head a long queue for promotion from the bench.

Up front, David Min opened his account for the campaign by scoring against Heracles, and he should link up with summer signing Yoann Cathline, who has contributed three assists so far.

Rafik El Arguioui and Zidane Iqbal are the hosts’ absentees, while Servette are missing David Douline, Alexis Antunes and Samuel Mraz – the latter had scored in both of their first two matches this season.

French midfielder Lamine Fomba could be recalled, having produced a late equaliser on Sunday; however, it remains to be seen whether new coach Jocelyn Gourvennec will make sweeping changes.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup: Barkas; Horemans, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, El Karouani; Jensen, Engwanda, Zechiel; Blake, Min, Cathline

Servette possible starting lineup: Mall; Srdanovic, Baron, Bronn, Mazikou; Cognat, Fomba; Stevanovic, Jallow, Varela; Guillemenot

We say: FC Utrecht 3-2 Servette (FC Utrecht win 6-3 on aggregate)

In fine form across the final third, Utrecht are full of confidence and can surely add more goals to their tally against ailing Servette.

The visitors have struggled to live up to their achievements of last season, and even hiring a new coach cannot keep them in the Europa League qualifiers.

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