Our prediction for this Europa League match:
All eyes will be on Allianz Stadion when Rapid Vienna and Trabzonspor square off against each other in the Europa League third qualifying round, return leg. Rapid Vienna defeated Trabzonspor in Turkey thanks to Lukas Grgic’s goal and, no doubt, they will fight tooth and nail to defend their slim lead in the return leg. Experienced attacker Guido Burgstaller should be recalled to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Austria Klagenfurt at the weekend.
The Black Sea Storm, on the other hand, produced an under-par performance in the first leg. As Rapid Vienna are tough to beat at home, we do not believe that Abdullah Avci’s men are capable of overcoming the deficit. Both Huseyin Turkmen and Maximiliano Gomez should miss out with injuries for the visiting team. Romania international Denis Dragus is widely expected to lead the line for the Turks.
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.