Red Bull Salzburg, yet to record a single Champions League point this season, will travel to De Kuip to face Feyenoord on Wednesday. Salzburg’s away form is still pretty uninspiring – just one win in the last six outings away from home – while Feyenoord seek a fourth home win in five.
Match Preview
Feyenoord is looking to reach the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in its seventh attempt. Feyenoord, which has taken all three of its last European matches with a 3-2 win over Girona and a 3-1 victory against Benfica, hits the pitch with six points through three matches. Sitting 16th in the 36-team UCL table, Feyenoord sits just a point behind the top eight. And as the roster isn’t getting any easier with Manchester City and Bayern Munich fixtures up ahead, the match on Wednesday is vital to take points from.
Domestically in Eredivisie, Feyenoord recently fell 2-0 to Ajax, defeated Utrecht, and outlasted AZ Alkmaar. They are still a force at home, having won three of their last four in Rotterdam.
Salzburg, managed by their boss Pepijn Lijnders, are looking to notch a first win in this season’s Champions League. While Salzburg’s boss Pepijn Lijnders was optimistic with the improvement that his charges have shown, Salzburg has suffered dismal defeats to Sparta Prague, Brest, and Dinamo Zagreb by an aggregate score of 9-0. Currently lying 34th in the UCL standings, their task only gets harder with games against Leverkusen, PSG, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid still to play. Salzburg also lie third in the Austrian Bundesliga and were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Grazer AK over the weekend.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Feyenoord Injuries and Absences
Feyenoord Without a number of key players: top scorer last term Santiago Gimenez (hip), Calvin Stengs and Quilindschy Hartman (both knee), Jordan Lotomba and Ayase Ueda (both hamstring), with this season’s top scorer Antoni Milambo also out (unspecified). Gjivai Zechiel is back after an ankle injury and could potentially be in the squad while Ibrahim Osman, who scored after coming on against AZ, is pushing for a start.
Feyenoord Possible Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Wellenreuther
Defenders: Read, Beelen, Hancko, Bueno
Midfielders: Zerrouki, Hwang, Timber
Forwards: Osman, Carranza, Paixao
Red Bull Salzburg Injuries and Absences
Red Bull Salzburg Without Gaoussou Diakite-hip, Fernando and Petar Ratkov-both thigh, Takumu Kawamura-knee, Moussa Yeo-ankle Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager is suspended thanks to a red card against Dinamo Zagreb, so Janis Blaswich is expected to start in goal. Liverpool loanees Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark are in contention for the midfield, while Karim Konate, who leads the team with six goals, is set to feature in attack.
Red Bull Salzburg Possible Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Blaswich
Defenders: Dedic, Piatkowski, Baidoo, Terzic
Midfielders: Bidstrup, Diambou, Clark
Forwards: Daghim, Konate, Gloukh
Prediction
Feyenoord has the home advantage and a more cohesive lineup despite some notable absences. Salzburg has struggled defensively in the Champions League, which may open opportunities for Feyenoord to secure the win. Our prediction is a 3-1 victory for Feyenoord.
Key Points:
Feyenoord seeks their fourth home win in five matches.
Salzburg have not taken any victories in the Champions League and has huge problems in the backline. Feyenoord is in a good position to maybe advance from the group, but the upcoming two matches are very hard. Injuries in both teams, but the depth of Feyenoord could be the factor in this game.
