FC Zurich vs Linfield Match Analysis and Prediction

Linfield will be aiming to overturn a two-goal deficit when they travel to Switzerland to take on FC Zurich at Stadion Letzigrund for the second leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier on Thursday.

The winners of this clash will face Scottish side Hearts in the playoff round later this month in a bid to progress to the Europa League group stage.

After failing to win any of their opening five competitive matches of the new season, FC Zurich secured their first win when they defeated Linfield 2-0 at Windsor Park in the first leg last week.

Tosin Aiyegun gave the visitors the lead in the eight minute, before Italy internacional Wilfred Gnonto doubled their lead with a goal midway through the second half.

FC Zurich, who have dropped down into the Europa League qualifiers after losing 5-4 on aggregate to Qarabag in Champions League Qualifying, have moved one step closer to reaching their first group stage of any major European competition since 2016-17 campaign.

Franco Foda’s side have since followed up their win in Belfast with disappointing 3-0 home defeat against Sion in the Swiss Super League last weekend.

Meanwhile, Linfield saw their 11-game unbeaten run at Windsor Park dating back to January come to an end, as they lost the first leg to Zurich last week.

They now have it all to do in Switzerland as they aim to qualify for their first major European competition since the 1993-94 Champions League.

Linfield lost by the same scoreline in the same stadium to Crusaders in the NIFL Charity Shield just two days after their defeat to Zurich.

Including their disappointing 8-0 defeat against Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Campions League qualifier last month, David Healy’s side have now lost each of their last three competitive matches without scoring.

FC Zurich vs Linfield head to head

The two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the first leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier, where Zurich claimed a 2-0 away win.

Linfield 0-2 Zurich 04/08/22

FC Zurich latest home form

FC Zurich lost 3-0 to Sion in their last home game in the Super League. However, they have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 16 goals and conceded seven.

Zurich 11-0 Baden 15/06/22

Zurich 3-2 Wil 18/06/22

Zurich 0-0 Luzern 23/07/22

Zurich 2-2 Qarabag 27/07/22

Zurich 0-3 Sion 07/08/22

FC Zurich latest away form

FC Zurich won 2-0 over Linfield in their last away game in the Europa League. However, they have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, having lost each of their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded 12.

Stuttgart 3-2 Zurich 09/07/22

Young Boys 4-0 Zurich 16/07/22

Qarabag 3-2 Zurich 19/07/22

St. Gallen 2-0 Zurich 30/07/22

Linfield 0-2 Zurich 04/08/22

Linfield latest home form

Linfield have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Crusaders in their last home game in the Charity Shield. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded six.

Linfield 1-2 St. Mirren 02/07/22

Linfield (E)2-0 The New Saints 13/07/22

Linfield 1-0 Bodo/Glimt 19/07/22

Linfield 0-2 Zurich 04/08/22

Linfield 0-2 Crusaders 06/08/22

Linfield latest away form

Linfield lost 8-0 to Bodo/Glimt in their last away game in the Champions League. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have won each of their previous three matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded 11.

The New Saints 1-0 Linfield 05/07/22

Knockbreda 1-2 Linfield 09/07/22

H&W Welders 1-8 Linfield 16/07/22

Loughgall 0-2 Linfield 23/07/22

Bodo/Glimt 8-0 Linfield 27/07/22

FC Zurich news

FC Zurich head coach Foda may decide to make a few changes to freshen up his side following last weekend’s league defeat to Sion.

Midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is set to remain sidelined through injury, while Cheick Conde and Ole Selnaes could be handed starts in the middle of the pitch.

Linfield news

Healy made 11 changes for last weekend’s game against Crusaders, but he is expected to go back to a similar starting lineup to the one named for the first leg against Zurich.

A back three of Sam Roscoe, Ben Hall and Chris Shields is set to protect goalkeeper Chris Johns between the posts.

Prediction and Odds

Both teams have struggled for form in the opening weeks of the new season, but Zurich got an advantage in the first leg and will be the favourites to progress to the next round.

Linfield will hope to put up a fight in Switzerland, but we expect the hosts to come out on top.

Odds: 1 2.10 X 2.05 2 2.28

Probable outcomes

Zurich 1-0 Linfield

Zurich 2-0 Linfield

Zurich 2-1 Linfield

Zurich 3-1 Linfield

Zurich 1-1 Linfield