Predictions Champions League - FC Twente vs Red Bull Salzburg

Champions League - FC Twente vs Red Bull Salzburg
Match Time: 14-08-2024 00:00 Wednesday (GMT+7)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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A late goal from Michel Vlap gives Twente real hope of turning around their third-round tie, as the midfielder's 90th-minute free kick in Salzburg reduced their first-leg deficit to only one goal.

Having trailed to a Maurits Kjaergaard brace heading towards stoppage time last Tuesday, coming away with just a 2-1 defeat sets the stage for a potential comeback on home turf.

Joseph Oosting's side finished third in the Eredivisie last season, to gain entry into the Champions League qualifiers, and they kicked off their latest league campaign at the weekend.

Summer signing Sam Lammers scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win at NEC Nijmegen, as Twente bounced back from defeat in Austria four days earlier.

The Tukkers now hope to take one step closer to a first Champions League appearance in 14 years, but even if they find a way past Salzburg, a playoff against either Rangers or Dynamo Kyiv would then stand in their way.

Regulars in Europe's top club competition during the past decade, Salzburg were eliminated at the group stage last year, finishing fourth behind Real Sociedad, Benfica and Inter Milan.

Under new management this season, Die Roten Bullen believe they have something to prove, as after a decade of dominance they finally failed to win their domestic title in 2023-24.

Losing out to Sturm Graz on the final day cost former boss Gerhard Struber his job, and ex-Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders has returned to front-line management following a brief spell in charge of NEC several years ago.

His start to life in the top job has been successful, as Salzburg completed pre-season unbeaten, then progressed in the Austrian Cup, before a 3-2 win at Grazer AK secured three points from their first Austrian Bundesliga fixture.

Having since toppled Twente and then cruised to a 5-1 league victory over Blau-Weiss Linz, it seems normal service has been resumed ahead of this week's second leg.

Prediction: FC Twente 1-2 Red Bull Salzburg