Prediction: Rapid Wien vs Trabzonspor

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 15/28

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Rapid Wien took an important step toward reaching the UEFA Champions League group stage after a shock victory in Turkey. While the contest was not settled yet, the hosts are positioned excellently for the last knockout battle before qualifying for the group stage. The game will be played at Allianz Stadion where over 28, 000 fans will attend the much anticipated 2nd leg, from which a large Turkish audience is expected.

Rapid Wien

Despite failing to meet fans’ expectations last term, Rapid Wien qualified for the previous season’s championship group play-off with a win in the last game played in the regular season. However, since the play-off was dominated by Sturm Graz and Salzburg, Rapid Wien settled for 4th place which granted access to the Europa League.

Still, with the summer holiday finished, the visitors began their new season preparations with a match against lower league side Herzogenburg which they defeated 11-0. However, more difficult tests were on the way when Slavia Prague inflicted a 3-0 defeat to Rapid Wien in a much-needed reality check. Yet, before the season began, The Green-Whites made their final adjustments against Serie A heavyweights, AC Milan, securing a draw that boosted Rapid Wien’s confidence for the upcoming Europa League play-offs.

Furthermore, midway through August, the visitors already played tough games domestically and in Europe. While a win against Wisla in Poland opened their journey to reach the Europa League group stage, The Green-Whites’ progress in the Austrian Cup and success in the championship’s inaugural round against champions Sturm Graz was the perfect set-up before travelling to Turkey.

Packed with confidence, the visitors outperformed Trabzonspor by returning to Austria with a 1-0 win. Although the Turkish side was expected to be on the front foot, it was the Austrians that dominated the game from start to finish. Still, despite returning home with a great achievement, Rapid Wien’s many chances missed in Turkey could prove costly.

Furthermore, The Green-Whites’s intentions of reaching the group stages of the Europa League were clear in the last championship game against Austria Klagenfurt that finished undecided (1-1) when Robert Klaus despatched a weaker side on the pitch, resting his main figures for the return clash against Trabzonspor.

Team News

Robert Klaus will have a headache lining up a competitive team considering no less than seven players are sidelined. Besides the long absentees, goalkeeper Niklas Hedle and striker Noah Bischof joined the recovery room following the intense game played in Klagenfurt.

Trabzonspor

Former 2022 Turkis champions, Trabzonspor, had an impressive season last term that culminated with a 3rd place finish behind Fenerbahce and current champions Galatasaray. While qualifying for European football was a major achievement, losing the Turkish Cup final to Besiktas in May was a heavy blow for Trabzonspor’s fans.

With the summer holiday ending quickly, experienced manager Abdullah Avci started preparing for the new season with a pair of friendly games. A 2-1 win against Szeged followed by a last test match against Zeleznicar Pancevo (3-1 win) had the Turkish manager drawing his staring line-up before the season’s debut.

Starting their Europa League push to reach the group stage, the Black Sea Storm faced Ruzomberok in the first qualifying round. It was business as usual for the Turkish side who won both games (3-0 on aggregate), setting the first leg semifinal play-off against Rapid Wien.

Although the expectations were high for the team from the Black Sea shores, Trabzonspor suffered a heavy blow in front of their fans by conceding a narrow defeat. However, with the second episode rolling in Viena, the Turkish side must turn around the small deficit to reach the group phase.

Furthermore, Abdullah Avci rested his MVPs in the Super Lig debut away at Sivasspor (0-0 final score), to be all in against Rapid Wien. Still, the experienced manager should worry about the lack of his strikers’ precision in front of the opposition’s goalie, who missed the target in the last 180 minutes of playtime.

Team News

Having all players fit and ready to tackle Rapid Wien, Abdullah Avci hopes to see his players replicating the display against Ruzomberok when the accuracy was pinpointed (three goals scored). Furthermore, centre forward Denis Dragus who had an impressive Euro 2024 with Romania is yet to make his mark after missing the target since his arrival in July.

Key factors to consider

• Rapid Wien knocked out Wisla in the previous round (8-2 on aggregate)
• The hosts took an important step towards the Europa League group stage by winning the first leg played in Turkey
• Trabzonspor knocked out Ruzomberok in the previous round (3-0 on aggregate)
• The visitors failed to score in the last two competitive games

Conclusion

Following the first-leg win of Rapid Wien in Turkey, we expect an all-in-game from Trabzonspor that will leave many open spaces and options to score for both sides.

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 15/28

Bookmaker: ZetBet