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Ferencvaros welcome Trabzonspor to Groupama Arena on Thursday for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff tie, holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from last week's meeting in Turkey.
Kristoffer Zachariassen's 17th-minute header separated the sides in Trabzon, while Chibuike Nwaiwu was sent off in stoppage time and will therefore miss the decisive return fixture.
The visitors must win in Budapest to overturn the deficit and reach the Europa League league phase, while the hosts will progress with a draw after producing an impressive away performance in the first leg.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Ferencvaros vs Trabzonspor key stats
- Ferencvaros have remained unbeaten in their four home matches this season
- Ferencvaros are unbeaten in the Europa League qualifiers this season, winning five and drawing two of seven such games
- Trabzonspor have conceded in all three of their competitive matches this season
Ferencvaros vs Trabzonspor preview: Salah threat gives visitors renewed hope
Ferencvaros vs Trabzonspor — Tale of the Tape
| Ferencvaros | vs | Trabzonspor |
|---|---|---|
| 10th in NB I | Position | 4th in Super Lig |
| 4 | Points | 4 |
| 3 | Goals For | 3 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 10th | Home / Away Rank | 9th |
Ferencvaros arrive in Budapest with the advantage they wanted after producing one of their most disciplined European performances of the campaign in last week's first leg.
Zachariassen broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when he headed home a cross from Oliver Nagy, giving the Hungarian champions a lead they refused to surrender.
Ferencvaros goalkeeper Denes Dibusz also played an important role, including an early save from Salah, as Balazs Borbely's side successfully restricted Trabzonspor's attacking threat.
The victory was particularly valuable because Ferencvaros had to travel to one of the most intimidating atmospheres in Turkish football, yet they remained compact and disciplined throughout the contest.
Ferencvaros have also built a strong European campaign on the road this season, having already negotiated ties against Vojvodina, FC Twente and Gornik Zabrze before reaching the playoff round.
Their home record should give Borbely further confidence because Groupama Arena has provided a reliable platform during the qualifying campaign.
Ferencvaros have already collected victories over European opposition on home soil and now need to avoid defeat against a Trabzonspor side that must take greater risks.
The suspension of Nwaiwu is another factor working in the hosts' favour because Trabzonspor will be without the defender who was dismissed in the sixth minute of stoppage time in the opening leg.
Trabzonspor, however, arrive in Budapest with a major attacking boost after Salah produced his best performance since joining the club.
The former Liverpool forward scored both goals in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir, opening the scoring in the eighth minute before restoring Trabzonspor's advantage shortly after half time.
He also had two further goals ruled out during the match, underlining how much more dangerous the Turkish side looked with Salah operating from the start.
Salah had already shown glimpses of his threat in the first leg, when he forced Dibusz into a save inside the opening eight minutes, but Ferencvaros ultimately managed to contain him and the rest of Fatih Tekke's attack.
The difference this time is that Trabzonspor have no reason to protect the scoreline, as they need a victory to overturn the aggregate deficit, meaning Tekke should have greater freedom to push his attacking players forward.
That approach could create opportunities for Salah and Paul Onuachu, but it also leaves more space for Ferencvaros to exploit if they recover possession and attack the visitors in transition.
Trabzonspor's defensive record remains the principal concern, having conceded in each of their three competitive matches this season, while their latest European defeat means they must score at least once in Budapest to keep the tie alive.
Ferencvaros vs Trabzonspor form guide & betting tips
| Ferencvaros | vs | Trabzonspor |
|---|---|---|
W
L
D
W
W
|
Form | W
L
D
L
W
|
| 5 | Goals For | 5 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 4 |
W
D
W
|
Europa League qualifying | L
|
Whispers predicts: Ferencvaros 1-1 Trabzonspor
Ferencvaros have already demonstrated that they can frustrate Trabzonspor, and the hosts should have enough defensive organisation and home advantage to avoid defeat, while Trabzonspor's need to attack makes a second consecutive clean sheet against them less convincing.
We predict Ferencvaros to qualify at 1.36 (4/11), while both teams to score is priced at around 1.72 (8/11).
The first leg was settled by a single goal, but the visitors' situation should produce a more open contest in Budapest, making Over 1.5 goals at around 1.30 (3/10) another sensible selection.
> Over 1.5 goals at 1.30 (3/10) | Likelihood: Likely
> Ferencvaros to qualify at 1.36 (4/11) | Likelihood: Likely
> Both teams to score at 1.72 (8/11) | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score – Ferencvaros 1-1 Trabzonspor at 6.50 (11/2) | Likelihood: Outsider