'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rakow Czestochowa will entertain Sporting Lisbon at the ArcelorMittal Park in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
The hosts have endured a poor start to their campaign and have suffered defeats in their first two games of the competition, failing to score in these games as well. In their previous outing, they fell to a 1-0 home loss to Sturm Graz and will look to improve upon that performance in this match.
The visitors got their campaign off to a winning start, defeating Sturm Graz 2-1 but failed to build on that form as they fell to a 2-1 home loss to Atalanta in their previous outing. Viktor Gyökeres scored a consolation goal from the penalty spot in the second half after Atalanta took a two-goal lead in the first half.
Trending
The hosts suffered a 2-1 loss in their first game following the international break against Gornik Zabrze in the Ekstraklasa on Sunday. The visitors, meanwhile, recorded a 3-1 win over Olivais e Moscavide in the Taca de Portugal.
Rakow Czestochowa vs Sporting Lisbon Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time. The hosts will meet a Portuguese opponent for the first time in a competitive match while the visitors will meet a Polish opponent for the fourth time.
- Interestingly, all four of the visitors' meetings against a Polish team came against Legia Warsaw, in which they have two wins to their name. They have suffered just one loss and one game has ended in a draw.
- Rakow Czestochowa have suffered just two defeats in their last 10 games in all competitions, with both coming in European competitions.
- Sporting have suffered just one defeat in their last 11 games in all competitions, recording nine wins.
Rakow Czestochowa vs Sporting Lisbon Prediction
Medaliki have struggled to get going in their debut European campaign and are yet to open their goalscoring account after two games. They have kept three clean sheets in three of their last four home games in all competitions and will look to build on that form in this match.
Some changes in the starting XI can be expected from head coach Dawid Szwarga as he looks to guide his team to score their first European goal.
Leões have suffered just one defeat this season, with that loss coming in the Europa League against Atalanta earlier this month. They are unbeaten in their travels this season, winning four of their five away games.
They head into the match with a clean bill of health, which bodes well for them. Interestingly, they are winless in away meetings against an Austrian team. Nonetheless, considering their current form and the hosts' struggles in the competition, we back the visitors to record a comfortable win and the odds of a clean sheet also look good.
Prediction: Rakow Czestochowa 0-2 Sporting Lisbon
Rakow Czestochowa vs Sporting Lisbon Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Sporting Lisbon to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least a goal to be scored in the first half - Yes
Tip 4: Viktor Gyökeres to score or assist any time - Yes
