Rapid Vienna face the monumental task of trying to overturn a two-goal deficit against visitors LASK Linz on Sunday at Allianz Stadion for a place in the Austrian Bundesliga's Conference League qualifiers.
The Green-Whites lost 3-1 in the first leg of their clash against LASK on Thursday in what was an even game for large periods, and they will have to win for the first time in 10 matches against the away side if they have ambitions of securing European football.
Match preview
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While both sides managed to create two big chances in the first leg, Sunday's hosts will be disappointed with their lack of concentration at key moments considering they conceded in the fifth and 91st minutes.
Rapid Vienna also conceded twice within the first 19 minutes in their previous match against Red Bull Salzburg on May 24 - eventually losing 4-2 – and boss Stefan Kulovits cannot afford his side to start poorly on the weekend.
The Green-Whites have lost three of their last four fixtures against the visitors, and since the last time they won against LASK by two or more goals in May 2021 when they triumphed 3-0, they have drawn six, lost five and won just two.
Kulovits's side have lost their past two games and were beaten in four of their prior seven, achieving victory on two occasions.
While Rapid Vienna did win 3-1 last time out at home on May 18 against Sturm Graz, that was only their second victory in six outings at Allianz Stadion, with the club suffering three defeats in that time.
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The visitors should be credited for only facing a non-penalty xG of 0.54, and it should be noted that they also faced just three non-penalty shots inside the box.
LASK have been excellent from a defensive perspective in the last weeks, conceding just two goals in their past five games, keeping three clean sheets.
The Black-Whites will be favourites on Sunday given their first-leg lead, but they have also only lost three times in their 20 matches in 2025, with their 4-2 defeat against Sturm Graz in the middle of March the only time they were beaten by at least two goals this calendar year.
Head coach Maximilian Ritscher's side are undefeated in three outings – winning their last two – and they emerged triumphant in six of their prior eight.
LASK's performances on their travels have been strong, with the team achieving victory in four of their five most recent outings on the road.
Team News
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Rapid Vienna must ensure that they maintain their composure despite trailing, and that could mean regular starters Bendeguz Bolla, Nenad Cvetkovic, Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao and Dominic Vincze to appear in defence.
Midfielder Tobias Borchgrevink Borkeeiet is still not available due to injury, and his absence could lead to the selection of Moritz Oswald and Romeo Amane in a double pivot.
In attack, while wingers Louis Schaub and Nikolaus Wurmbrand could start, they may be replaced by Ismail Seydi and Andrija Radulovic given the latter two were brought on for the former duo in the first leg.
Opponents LASK will certainly start Robert Zulj in the forward line considering he netted twice against Rapid Vienna last time out, and he is likely to be joined by Krystof Danek and Maximilian Entrup.
Ivan Ljubic could partner Ismaila Cheick Coulibaly in midfield given Sascha Horvath was forced off as a result of an injury in the first leg, and the pair could play ahead of central defenders Jerome Boateng, Andres Andrade and Modou Keba Cisse.
Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup:
Hedl; Bolla, Cvetkovic, Raux-Yao, Vincze; Oswald, Amane; Schaub, Seidl, Wurmbrand; Burgstaller
LASK Linz possible starting lineup:
Lawal; Boateng, Andrade, Cisse; Flecker, Horvath, Coulibaly, Bello; Danek, Zulj; Entrup
We say: Rapid Vienna 1-2 LASK Linz (LASK win 5-2 on aggregate)
Rapid Vienna could struggle to generate the opportunities they need to get back into the tie considering they will face a strong defensive unit.
LASK have the luxury of being able to absorb pressure and target their opponents during counter-attacks, and they should be confident of winning the second leg.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
