Backa Topola play host to Freiburg on Thursday evening knowing that victory will catapult them into contention for qualification for the Europa League knockout stages.

However, Freiburg make the trip to Serbia with the opportunity to move five points clear of their upcoming opponents in Group B.

Match preview

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After their narrow miss when it came to Champions League qualification last season, Freiburg have struggled to replicate the levels that took them so close to the Bundesliga top four.

Nevertheless, either side of a one-sided defeat to Bayern Munich before the international break, Freiburg have posted imperative wins over Augsburg and Bochum respectively.

They have kept Christian Streich's side as high as eighth position in the Bundesliga standings, albeit seven points adrift of the Champions League places.

In the Europa League, a start of Olympiacos away and West Ham at home was close to being as difficult as it could get, yet three points have been collected from those fixtures.

The 3-2 success over Olympiacos in the group opener may prove decisive, but Freiburg still need to take care of their double-header with a Backa Topola outfit who have shown their ability.

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Despite this representing the first-ever time that they have qualified for the group stage of a European competition, the Serbian side led at West Ham and came from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils with Olympiacos.

Head coach Zarko Lazetic has reason to be frustrated with accumulating just the one point, yet they remain in contention ahead of their second encounter at the TSC Arena.

In all competitions, though, Backa Topola have dropped off, failing to win a single game in six during a period that has lasted since September 16.

While their priority may be ensuring that they keep within touching distance of the top two in the Serbian top flight, victory on Thursday would put them in the frame to secure at least Europa Conference League football after Christmas.

Team News

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Josip Calusic may return to the Backa Topola defence with Vukasin Krstic having gotten the nod for the 1-1 draw with Vozdovac at the weekend.

Sasa Jovanovic is expected to line up in attack after his goal in that fixture in a starting lineup that is likely to be similar to the one that earned a share of the spoils against Olympiacos.

Meanwhile, Steich is expected to name close to his first-choice XI, aware that there may be an opening to move five points clear of third spot.

Junior Adamu may be given another chance down the centre of the attack, while Michael Gregoritsch could be handed an opportunity behind him.

Manuel Gulde should start in defence if Steich goes with the back three that began the 2-1 triumph over Bochum.

Backa Topola possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Cvetkovic, Antonic, Calusic, Petrovic; Radin, Djakovac, Stojic, Stanic; Jovanovic, Rakonjac

Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Atubolu; Ginter, Lienhart, Gulde; Doan, Eggestein, Hofler, Weisshaupt; Gregoritsch, Grifo; Adamu

We say: Backa Topola 1-3 Freiburg

Given the manner of their comeback against Olympiacos, Backa Topola will fancy their chances of earning more points against Freiburg. However, we feel that the German side may click into gear in this contest, undoing their next opponents at the back like West Ham and the Greek outfit last time out.


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