Borac Banja Luka and Rapid Vienna square off in the first leg of their Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday night.
Both clubs are bidding for a rare deep run in a European competition having each been provided with a favourable draw to reach at least the semi-finals.
Match preview
![Coach of Borac Banja Luka, Mladen Zizovic, during a press conference on July 23, 2024 [on August 27, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/35/mladen-zizovic.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Coach of Borac Banja Luka, Mladen Zizovic, during a press conference on July 23, 2024 [on August 27, 2024]")
© Imago
Having scored just five times in their eight fixtures during the main stages of this competition, Borac Banja Luka may feel slightly fortunate to have reached the last 16.
Nevertheless, the Bosnia-Herzegovian outfit deserve huge credit for their historic run, keeping four clean sheets in total and three in succession.
Their most notable results during the League Phase were a 1-1 draw at home to Panathinaikos and a 2-1 triumph over LASK Linz.
In the first knockout round after their 20th-placed finish, they were presented with a two-legged tie against Olimpija Ljubljana, coming through that double-header by a 1-0 aggregate victory.
Mladen Zizovic's side head into this encounter partially distracted by their domestic campaign, currently sitting four points adrift of Premijer Liga leaders Zrinjski albeit with a game in hand.
However, the Red-Blues are on a five-match unbeaten streak since their winter break, something that will not be ignored by their higher-profile opponents.
© Imago
Only twice since 2018 have Rapid Vienna reached the knockout stages of European competition, making this a clear opportunity to enjoy their best run since making the Cup Winners Cup final in 1996.
Starting the League Phase with three successive wins over Istanbul Basaksehir, Noah and Petrocub put them in control of their fate, before a thumping 3-0 success against Copenhagen ensured that they finished in fourth place, just one point off second.
However, this is a team that has dropped down to fifth position in the Austrian Bundesliga table, a consequence of a recent three-match losing streak after their return from the winter break.
Robert Klauss would have been relieved to see his side prevail 5-1 against Rheindorf Altach at the weekend, keeping them within nine points of the league leaders.
Team News
![Sebastian Herera of Borac Banja Luka during the UEFA Champions League 2nd qualifying round, 2nd leg football match between Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and PAOK Thessaloniki on July 31, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/sebastian-herera.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sebastian Herera of Borac Banja Luka during the UEFA Champions League 2nd qualifying round, 2nd leg football match between Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and PAOK Thessaloniki on July 31, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
Borac Banja Luka will have to make do without left-back Sebastian Herrera who is serving a one-match ban for collecting three yellow cards.
Aleksandar Subic should be drafted into the side as a straight replacement, with the remainder of the team potentially remaining the same from the game against FK Radnik Bijeljina.
Forward Djordje Despotovic has netted two of the club's five goals in this competition and is expected to lead the line.
Meanwhile, Klauss may see no reason to tinker with a Rapid Vienna side that prevailed 5-0 last time out, particularly after their previous winless streak.
Dion Beljo has been a star performer in attack, contributing three goals and two assists in the League Phase, while winger Isak Jansson took his tally to five goals from 11 league outings at the weekend and should retain his spot in the team.
Borac Banja Luka possible starting lineup:
Manojlovic; Kvrzic, Meijers, Carolina, Subic; Nikolov, Ogrinec; Kulasin, Savic, Vukovic; Despotovic
Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup:
Hedl; Bolla, Cvetkovic, Raux-Yao, Auer; Sangare, Grgic; Schaub, Seidl, Jansson; Beljo
We say: Borac Banja Luka 1-2 Rapid Vienna
With Borac Banja Luka having kept back-to-back clean sheets in their knockout playoff tie, they deserve respect heading into this contest. However, with Rapid Vienna having won four of their six League Phase matches, we are backing the visitors to establish a slender lead ahead of the reverse fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
