Credit: Clare McCahill (ETPhotos)
UEFA Europa League Preview: Fehervar -v- Bohemians
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Aug 27 2020
FEHERVAR
Fehervar will hope they can begin their journey to the group stages of the Europa League with a win over Bohemians on Thursday evening (kick-off 5.30pm Irish time).
The Hungarians qualified for the Europa League by virtue of their second-place league finish, behind Ferencvaros, during the 2019-20 top-flight campaign.
Vidi – as they are known by their fans – currently play their home games at the MOL Arena Sosto, and have done since 1967.
The ground has however gone through a phase of reconstruction in the previous years and was reopened as recently as 2018.
The MOL Arena Sosto currently has a capacity of 14,201 spectators and its highest point is approximately 20 metres.
The club have enjoyed notable domestic success since 2005, where they have won three league titles, two Hungarian Cups, three Hungarian League Cups and two Hungarian super cups.
Their current manager Gabor Marton. The 53-year-old former Hungarian international midfielder was appointed as Fehervar boss on July 8th.
Following his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Paks on Saturday afternoon, manager Marton was left frustrated with his team’s prolificacy’s in front of goal.
“After such a match, it takes some time for one to gather their thoughts. It is no small feat to miss so many chances,” he said.
“Our opponents scored from virtually their only dangerous chance and following a scramble in front of goal.
“However, it should also be noticed that the players are increasingly bold in applying what I ask of them.
“We created so many chances, which gives us encouragement, but sadly they only give you points if you convert them.”
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians enter the Europa League qualifiers for the first time since 2012 with a daunting task on their hands, to dump out Hungarian powerhouses Fehervar.
Like Fehervar, Bohs qualified for the Europa League by virtue of their league finish, ensuring that the Red and Black of Dublin’s Northside will embark on their first European foray since 2012.
Keith Long’s charges come into the showdown against Fehervar with plenty of positive momentum behind them.
The Gypsies currently lie in second position in the Premier Division following a 2-0 victory over St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
The result ensured that Bohs would head into their European clash off the back of four consecutive league wins since the League of Ireland restart.
The Gypsies will take encouragement from the fact that they have won three of their four games away from home this season, only losing once – against Derry City back in February.
Fehervar, on the other hand, are unbeaten at home in a competitive setting since December 2019.
In terms of team news for Keith Long’s charges, it is expected that Christian Magerusan will miss out with injury.
Referee: Timotheos Christofi (Cyprus).
MATCH STATS
Bohemians officially qualified for the Europa League last term following a scoreless draw away to St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.
The result meant that the Gypsies would enter the Europa League qualifiers for the first time since 2012.
They will be looking for better luck this time round as in their last European tie they fell to a heavy 5-1 aggregate defeat to Icelandic side Akureyri.
Since returning to competitive action on August 15th Fehervar have drawn their opening two league games of the season, scoring four and conceding four in the two games.
BETTING
Fehervar 1/7; Draw 11/2; Bohemians 12/1.
PREDICTION
Fehervar 3 – 1 Bohemians
Fehervar
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
Bohemians
Injured: Christian Magerusan
Doubtful: Ross Tierney, Paddy Kirk.
Suspended: None.
