Sturm Graz vs Lille prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-06 17:45.
A 5-1 aggregate win last month over Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) knockout play-off round saw Sturm Graz progress to the last 16 of a European competition for the first time ever in its modern format. Lille stand in Sturm’s way as they attempt to break even more new ground, and they’ll hope to get the tie off to a positive start given their impressive home record against French opposition (W2, D1).
Although Die Schwoazn boast that unbeaten record, they have won just three of their last 12 European home games (D3, L6). But the Austrians warmed up for this tie with a convincing 4-0 triumph at the Merkur-Arena over Wolfsberger on Sunday, a result which keeps them two points behind Salzburg at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga as they look to transfer their domestic form onto the European stage.
Lille ended a run of five league away encounters without a victory (D2, L3) with a 1-0 win at Reims on Saturday and currently sit fourth in Ligue 1, occupying a UEFA Champions League qualifying place. The Mastiffs now travel to Austria for only the second time in their history, but for the second successive season after losing 2-1 to Salzburg in their Champions League campaign.
Paolo Fonseca’s side are unbeaten in European away games so far this term (W1, D3) and conceded just one goal on the road on their way to topping Group A with 14 points. The Portuguese head coach will be looking to carry that strong form into this first leg as the French outfit target a major European quarter-final for the first time in their history.
Players to watch: Mika Biereth opened the scoring for Sturm Graz in both legs against Slovan Bratislava, part of a sequence of five goals from seven matches, including getting the first goal in four of those fixtures. Another player in strong form is Lille forward Jonathan David, who has already hit two hat-tricks in 2024 and has scored the opener in four games since the turn of the year, including grabbing the only goal at Reims on Saturday.
Hot stat: There have been three red cards across Sturm Graz’s last five matches, including one in each leg against Slovan Bratislava.