FC Koln make the trip to Hungary to face Fehervar needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit if they are to progress to the Europa Conference League group stages.

Although the German outfit played much of the first leg with 10 men, Fehervar will now fancy their chances of returning to the main stages of European football.

Match preview

Steffen Tigges in action for FC Koln on August 18, 2022 © Reuters

On the back of drawing 2-2 at RB Leipzig in the previous game, Koln would have expected to make relatively light work of Fehervar at the RheinEnergieSTADION.

That feeling was strengthened when they took a 14th-minute lead, but the dismissal of Julian Chabot six minutes later gifted their opponents the initiative.

Conceding twice before half time left Koln at risk of losing by a greater scoreline than 2-1, but Steffen Baumgart will still feel disappointed to be adrift at this stage of the tie.

To Koln's credit, they responded with a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt three days later, ensuring that they remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga after three matches.

Nevertheless, with the club having already been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal, this feels like a huge fixture for the German side in the context of their season.

In sharp contrast, Fehervar would have had their reservations about facing Koln on the back of losing 4-0 to Ferencvaros in their previous game.

However, they prevailed in the three games before that contest, and Michael Boris may have expected his team to take full advantage of playing with a player advantage for 70 minutes last week.

With the added bonus of being provided with a weekend off to help their cause, Fehervar should be well rested to try to outwork their superior opponents on more familiar territory.

Budu Zivzivadze has been the man in form this campaign with seven goals coming from his eight appearances in all competitions.

Fehervar Europa Conference League form:

Fehervar form (all competitions):

FC Koln Europa Conference League form:

FC Koln form (all competitions):

Team News

FC Koln coach Steffen Baumgart on August 18, 2022 © Reuters

Barring any unforeseen injury issues, Boris will likely see no reason to tinker with his Fehervar XI from the first leg.

Such was the level of their performance that he did not make a change until the 80th minute, and an extended rest period means that they are suitably prepared to replicate that performance.

With Chabot suspended for this fixture, Luca Kilian is expected to be drafted into the back four by Baumgart.

Widespread changes were made from the first-leg defeat, but Jan Thielmann will hope to earn a recall after scoring the decisive equaliser at Frankfurt.

Florian Dietz should also return with the forward having been rested despite scoring from his previous two starts.

Fehervar possible starting lineup:
Kovacs; Nego, Larsen, Shabanov, Stopira, Hangya; Bamgboye, Fiola, Pinto, Dardai; Zivzivadze

FC Koln possible starting lineup:
Schwabe; Schmitz, Hubers, Kilian, Pedersen; Hector, Skhiri; Thielmann, Ljubicic, Kainz; Dietz

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We say: Fehervar 1-2 FC Koln (Koln to win on penalties after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate)

Despite Fehervar's success last week, we have to take into account the circumstances behind the win. That is why we feel that we have to back a win for the Bundesliga outfit, who we think will eventually prevail on penalties.

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