Feyenoord head to Switzerland on Thursday for a crucial Europa League clash with Young Boys. Kick-off is at 5.55pm.

Feyenoord began their group stage campaign with a disappointing 1-0 loss at Rangers but recovered to book a surprising 2-0 win over Porto. Jaap Stam’s side currently sit top of the group with all four teams locked on three points.

However, Feyenoord are a team currently under a lot of pressure with the Rotterdammers currently sitting in 10th in the league. At the weekend, they could only draw 1-1 at home to Heracles Almelo and the calls for Jaap Stam to be sacked are growing.

Speaking at his press conference on Wednesday, Stam was asked whether the Europa League was their main focus now after their poor start to the league. He said, “We don’t give up. But it is true that we are in better shape and fully participate in this competition. “

Opponents Young Boys lost their opening game against Porto but beat Rangers 2-1 at home last time out. The Swiss champions currently sit second in their league but are on a four game winning streak, which included a 4-1 win over Xamax at the weekend.

Coached by Gerardo Seoane, Young Boys have only lost once this season and that was the 2-1 defeat to Porto in this competition.

Team News

Feyenoord travel to Switzerland without Nicolai Jorgensen and Rick Karsdorp. The club do not want to risk either on Young Boy’s artificial pitch.

Possible Feyenoord line-up: Vermeer, Geertruida, Haps, Senesi, Ie, Fer, Tapia, Toornstra, Sinisterra, Larsson, Berghuis

Young Boys have a number of players out injured including former Ajax flop Miralem Sulejmani. Sandro Lauper, Vincent Sierro, Christopher Martins Pereira and Mohamed Camara are also unlikely to play.

Possible Young Boys line-up: von Ballmoos, Janko, Garcia, Burgy, Sorensen, Lustenberger, Aebischer, Fassnacht, Gaudino, Ngamaleu, Nsame

Odds

Young Boys 17/20 Draw 3/1 Feyenoord 14/5

Can Feyenoord get a victory in Switzerland?

Young Boys are a difficult opponent for a Feyenoord side currently lacking in quality and confidence.

The Swiss champions have only lost once all season and they start Thursday’s clash as big favourites, especially with Feyenoord having to do without Jorgensen and Karsdorp.

Young Boys will look to dominate from the start and a draw would be an excellent result which would keep Feyenoord’s chances of progression to the knockout rounds alive.




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