Europa League Preview: Dundalk -v- Rapid Vienna

• Andrew Dempsey
• Thu, Nov 26 2020




DUNDALK

Dundalk will be hoping to keep their slim hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stages alive on Thursday evening when they host Rapid Vienna at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off is at 8pm).

Dundalk come into the game off the back of a 4-1 win away to Bohemians in the FAI Cup – but this will be a far greater test on Thursday against the Austrians.

“If we keep a clean sheet I think we’ll be successful,” defender Daniel Cleary said on Wednesday evening.

“Conceding four killed us in Vienna so the key tomorrow night will be keeping a clean sheet.

“In Vienna, I think we showed how competitive we can be in Europe at the top level and after scoring three goals away in Europe, we have nothing to fear.

“We’re going into tomorrow’s games with lots of confidence.”

Full-back Sean Gannon added: “There’s obviously that element but we’re not here to make up the numbers, we’re here on merit and although things have gone against us in previous games we’ve been competitive and there are lots of positives to take.

“When we go out, we don’t feel inferior. Yeah, we want to have fun and enjoy it, but now that we are here we want to win games and get points on the board.”

RAPID VIENNA

After losing their first league game of the season last weekend, Rapid Vienna travel to Dublin to take on Dundalk in the Europa League group stages.

Rapid were defeated 4-3 against Ried on Sunday – falling further behind Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian top-flight.

They did however defeat Dundalk in their last outing against the Lilywhites by four goals to three after going a goal behind.

However, if they are to replicate that feat again – they will have to do it without six of their players who have been ruled out.

Dejan Ljubicic, Christopher Dibon, Dalibor Velimirovic, Dejan Petrovic and Philipp Schobesberger have all been ruled of Thursday’s game.

 

Referee: Tamas Bognar (Hungary).

 

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have yet to win a Europa League Group Stage game this season, but they have scored four goals in their previous three games.

Rapid Vienna have won just two of their last ten away games in European competition – winning two and losing eight.

Dundalk have faced more shots in the Europa League (58 - 19.33 per match on average) than all but Ludogorets, whilst only one side has conceded more goals than their nine.

BETTING

Dundalk 9/2; Draw 16/5; Rapid Vienna 4/7.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 1 – 3 Rapid Vienna

 

Dundalk

Injured: Patrick Hoban.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Rapid Vienna

Injured: Dejan Ljubicic, Christopher Dibon, Dalibor Velimirovic, Dejan Petrovic and Philipp Schobesberger.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.