Serviette and Sheriff Tiraspol will both go in search of first wins of the Europa League group stage campaign on Thursday, when they meet in Switzerland.
Following their draw in the reverse fixture last time out, the sides are tied on one point from three outings and will aim to gain an edge in the fight for top-three places heading into the final two rounds of games.
Match preview
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Following their second-placed finish in the Swiss Super League last time around, Servette's continental campaign began in the second round of Champions League qualifying, and after scraping past Genk after two legs and extra time, they would eventually drop into the Europa League group stage owing to a narrow aggregate defeat to Rangers.
Les Grenats have not enjoyed a dream start to life in Europe's secondary competitions either, though, having only managed a single point from their first three outings, as they started at home to Slavia Prague and lost 2-0, before travelling to take on Roma and suffering a 4-0 beating as Andrea Belotti helped himself to a brace alongside goals from Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
A trip to Tiraspol then awaited Rene Weiler's side, and they went ahead late in the first half through Enzo Crivelli, only to be forced to share the points as the hosts equalised 10 minutes from time, scratching off any advantage in the fight for qualification heading into the final three group games.
The Swiss outfit have regained some momentum since that result, though, as they now head into the reverse fixture on Thursday on the back of consecutive league victories either side of a Swiss Cup round-of-16 triumph over Stade Lausanne-Ouchy, most recently beating FC Zurich 2-0 away from home at the weekend as Chris Bedia and Steve Rouiller netted goals to see their side close the gap to the top two to just two points in their latest title bid.
Now five points behind Slavia Prague and Roma, and likely left to fight for second and third spots, being playoff games for the Europa League and Europa Conference League playoff rounds respectively, Servette will be keen to make the most of home advantage on Thursday and put up a first win in the group to move three points clear of the visitors and improve their chances of avoiding an early exit.
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In their way stand a Sheriff Tiraspol side who will also aim to put their first win on the board on Thursday following the draw between these two sides late last month.
After winning their eighth consecutive Moldovan Super Liga title last term, Thursday's visitors entered Champions League qualifying in the first round but eventually dropped into the continent's secondary competition due to a defeat to Maccabi Haifa, before booking their place in the group stage with aggregate wins over BATE Borisov and KL Klaksvik.
The Zholto-Chornyye would endure an even tougher start to life in the group, though, as they began at home to Roma and eventually lost 2-1 before suffering a 6-0 beating at the hands of Slavia Prague in early October.
Fellow strugglers Servette then made the trip for a crucial meeting late last month, and while they were unable to prevail on home turf, Roman Pylypchuk's side did at least share the spoils thanks to David Ankeye's 80th-minute leveller, leaving them behind the Swiss side on goal difference with the chance to go three points ahead and get the edge in the head-to-head if they are able to go one better this week.
Now on the back of a 2-1 home win over Milsami on Sunday to stay four points clear at the summit of the domestic top flight, thanks to goals from Ankeye and Jerome Ngom Mbekeli, Sheriff Tiraspol will turn their attention back to continental action and travel to Switzerland with the aim of staking their claim for a playoff place in either second or third spot in the group heading into the final two rounds of fixtures.
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Team News
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Servette should only make minimal changes to their starting XI from the weekend's victory over FC Zurich on Thursday, and despite being sent off late in that contest, Miroslav Stevanovic is available to play with his suspension instead carrying over to their next Swiss Super League game.
He should continue to play a key role on the right flank, while Chris Bedia will again lead the line having notched up 11 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions so far this term, with Enzo Crivelli expected to return from the outset and join him up top having managed six of his own, including their only goal in the Europa League group stage thus far.
With Alexis Antunes still confined to the treatment room, Gael Ondoua and David Douline should both keep their places in the engine room, while Steve Rouiller and Yoan Severin will likely get the nod to again partner up at the heart of the back four.
Sheriff Tiraspol should certainly line up in a similar way to their reverse fixture against Servette last month, and David Ankeye is bound to again lead the line having now netted seven goals in all competitions this term including their leveller in the last group outing.
Henrique Luvannor has also managed seven goals this campaign and will keep his spot on the left wing, while midfielder Amine Talal has been their star man going forward thus far, having scored nine times with six coming in the Moldovan Super Liga and three coming in Champions League qualifying.
In a 4-4-1-1 shape, Joao Paulo should join Talal in the engine room, while Gaby Kiki and Cristian Tovar will likely continue their centre-back partnership despite competition from Munashe Garananga.
Servette possible starting lineup:
Mall; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Ondoua, Douline; Stevanovic, Kutesa; Crivelli, Bedia
Sheriff Tiraspol possible starting lineup:
Koval; Zohouri, Kiki, Tovar, Artunduaga; Badolo, Talal, Paulo, Luvannor; Ricardinho; Ankeye
We say: Servette 3-1 Sheriff Tiraspol
Despite being held to a draw by the same opponents away from home, Servette should fancy themselves as a stronger outfit than Thursday's visitors, and with home advantage in Switzerland they should have what it takes to get over the line and move clear in third place.
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Top tip
Sam Varley
