Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Stadion Rajko Mitic will host Thursday’s Europa League game between Crvena Zvezda and Trabzonspor. The Serbian champions are hungry for revenge, and we are positive that they will leave their hearts on the field. Aleksandar Katai, who came as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Radnicki Nis, is pushing for a start, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
Anyhow, Milos Milojevic’s troops face a must-win situation against Trabzonspor as they are three points behind top two in Group H. The Turks, on the other hand, impressed in a 4-0 crushing of Monaco, but given their poor away record (0-0-2), we are tempted to put our money on Crvena Zvezda, who produced a fine display in a 2-1 loss to Ferencvaros. Yusuf Yazici is back from a domestic ban, while all Asan, Djaniny, Gedikli, Peres, Tokoz, and Visca should miss out through injuries.
Highlighted Player (Guélor Kanga):
Over the years Guelor Kanga has established himself as one of the best players in the Serbian Super League. The Gabon international has been playing the key role in Crvena Zvezda ever since he joined the club in the summer of 2016 and he helped the Serbian side book their place in the 2017/2018 Europa League group stages.
Kanga scored a wonder goal in the Europa League play-offs, return leg, against Krasnodar and, as a result, he has become the fans’ favourite. The pacey midfielder started his senior career at Mangasport and he played for the likes of Missile, Mounana and Rostov as well before joining Crvena Zvezda. Kanga is well known for his brilliant passes and his technique is marvelous as well.
The Crvena Zvezda midfielder represented Gabon at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and he played for his homeland at the 2017 tournament as well. His main position is attacking midfield, but he is used as a winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Trabzonspor):
Founded on August 2, 1967, Trabzonspor are a Turkish club that compete in the Super Lig. The Karadeniz Firtinasi welcome their rivals at Medical Park Stadyumu, the venue which can hold up to 38,477 people. Trabzonspor were the dominant force in the Turkish top flight from 1975 to 1984, with the team clinching six domestic titles during that period.
The Turkish outfit booked their place in European competitions for the first time in the 1976/77, while making it to the Champions League group stages in the 2011/2012 season. Trabzonspor are well known for their claret and blue kits. After their foundation in 1967 English club Aston Villa sent a set of kits to Trabzonspor, which is the main reason why the two clubs wear the same colours.
Daniel Sturridge is the team’s most notable player. The former Liverpool man, who won the Champions League title with the Premier League side, joined the club in the summer of 2019 as a free agent.