Latvian Champions Rigas Futbola Skola will be hoping to gain an advantage over Cypriot title-winners APOEL Nicosia when they host them at LNK Sporta Parks on Thursday in the first leg of the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round.
The home side were eliminated from the Champions League's second qualifying round and entered the third qualifying round of the Europa League, while this is the visitors' first Europa League tie of 2023-24 after they lost in the third qualifying round of Europe's premier competition.
Match preview
![APOEL manager David Gallego gesticulates during UEFA Champions league qualification match against SK Slovan Bratislava on August 7, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/david-gallego.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "APOEL manager David Gallego gesticulates during UEFA Champions league qualification match against SK Slovan Bratislava on August 7, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts were comprehensively beaten by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League qualifiers, losing 4-0 in the first leg on July 23 before going down 3-1 in the second on July 31.
However, there was certainly no hangover from their defeat against Bodo/Glimt when RFS beat Santa Coloma 9-0 on aggregate in the Europa League's third qualifying round.
This tie included a 7-0 win in the second leg on August 14, a match in which Janis Ikaunieks scored a first-half hat-trick.
With 25 matches played and 11 fixtures remaining, RFS are first in the Latvian top flight with 65 points and are four clear of second-placed Riga FC, who have played 26 games.
The home side have won their last five matches in all competitions, though they have never made it to the group stage of the Europa League.
![Petr Mares of FK Rigas Futbola Skola during the UEFA Europa Conference League Group A match at Tynecastle Park on October 10, 2022 [on August 20, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/petr-mares.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Petr Mares of FK Rigas Futbola Skola during the UEFA Europa Conference League Group A match at Tynecastle Park on October 10, 2022 [on August 20, 2024]")
© Imago
Opponents APOEL Nicosia will be disappointed to have been knocked out of the third round of Champions League qualifying by Slovan Bratislava, who beat them 2-0 on aggregate.
Their goalless draw in the second leg at home on August 13 will have been particularly frustrating considering they failed to score despite having 67% possession, as well as producing 15 shots in contrast to Bratislava's six.
APOEL have not qualified to the group stage of any European competition since 2019-20, when they reached the round of 32 of the Europa League.
The visitors did win their domestic league in 2023-24 ahead of second-placed AEK Larnaca, though they only did so thanks to their superior goal difference.
Boss David Gallego, who has been in charge since July 2024, has a record of one win, two draws and one loss.
Gallego's side have failed to win any of their last three matches and have not won any of their last three competitive away matches in all competitions.
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Team News
© Imago
RFS could name a similar starting XI to the side that beat Santa Coloma 7-0, so expect defenders Petr Mares and Ziga Lipuscek to make an appearance.
Janis Ikaunieks is certain to start after his hat-trick, and he could be accompanied by Stefan Panic and Adam Markhiyev in midfield.
As for the visitors, they will be without centre-back Radosav Petrovic after he was sent off in the second leg against Slovan Bratislava.
Evagoras Antoniou could replace Petrovic in defence for APOEL, and he may start alongside Lasha Dvali, Xavi Quintilla and Mateo Susic.
Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:
Ondoa; Savalnieks, Prenga, Lipuscek, Mares; Ikaunieks, Panic, Markhiyev; Diomande, Osuagwu, Kouadio
APOEL possible starting lineup:
Belec; Susic, Antoniou, Dvali, Quintilla; Chebake, Sarfo, Kostadinov, Marquinhos; Ndongala, El Arabi
We say: Rigas Futbola Skola 1-1 APOEL
APOEL could struggle for periods considering their form has not been strong in recent matches, and it would not be surprising if they conceded first on Thursday.
However, RFS have never reached the group stage of the Europa League, and their lack of winning experience in these types of fixtures could see them head into the second leg on even terms.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
