On Thursday, starting at 19:30 pm, the match Strasbourg – Frankfurt, within the Europa League play-off, the first round, 2019/2020 edition will be played. The semifinalist of the previous edition, Frankfurt, is one step away from re-ticking the group stage, without the main scorers. He will face an uncomfortable opponent from Ligue 1, the winner of the French League Cup, last season.
Strasbourg won the French League Cup in the 2018/2019 season, returning to the European Cups for the first time after the 2005/2006 season. The Alsacians eliminated Maccabi Haifa in previous rounds, 4-3 overall score and Lokomotiv Plovdiv, with 2-0 score. On the other hand, Frankfurt had no problems in passing Flora Tallinn, 4-2 overall score and FC Vaduz, 6-0 after the double. The Germans start as favorites in both the victory in France and the qualification in the group stage. Even if they lost to Luka Jovic and Sebastian Haller, the “Vultures” remain a very offensive band. Strasbourg, however, evolves into a compact “block”, it is difficult to defeat on the Stade arena in Meinau and can issue claims, depending on the hostilities unfolding.
Probable teams:
Strasbourg: Sels – Carole, Mitrovic, Kone, Simakan – Sissoko, Ndour – Lienard, Corgnet, Zohl – Da Costa
Frankfurt: Trapp – Hinteregger, Abraham, Hasebe – Kostic, Fernandes, Kohr, Da Costa – Kamada, Gacinovic – Rebic
PREDICTION: Under 2,5 goals @ 1,88
