Conference League | League Stage

Dec 19, 2024 at 8pm UK

Tele2 Arena

Djurgardenvs.Legia

Match preview

Having narrowly missed out on European football next season when they finished fourth in the Swedish Allsvenskan, Djurgarden are now keen to make the most of their current Conference League campaign and remain in contention for an automatic place in the last 16.

The Iron Stoves have picked up 10 points from their five league games, winning their last three matches against Panathinaikos (2-1), The New Saints (1-0) and Vikingur Reykjavik (2-1), beating the latter last week despite playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men.

Roberth Bjorknesjo's side, who are bidding to reach the knockout stages of a major European competition for only the second time in the 21st century, currently sit 11th in the 36-team standings - one of four teams level on points with seventh-placed Cercle Brugge - and know that victory on Thursday would give them a strong chance of progressing to the last 16.

Djurgarden welcome their return to the Tele2 Arena, where they have won each of their last three competitive home matches, although they suffered a 3-0 friendly defeat to Elfsborg in front of their own fans on 22 November.

The Iron will fancy their chances of finding the net on home soil, having scored in 12 of their 13 home matches in the Conference, including qualifiers, and at least twice in eight of those.

Legia Warsaw have been one of the surprise packages in the Conference this season, sitting fourth in the 36-team table after taking 12 points from five games in the league phase.

The Militarians won their first four games by a combined score of 11-0 against Real Betis, Backa Topola, Dinamo Minsk and Omonia Nicosia before suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Lugano on matchday five last week.

Nevertheless, Legia Warsaw - under the guidance of 34-year-old Goncalo Feio - have put themselves in a strong position to progress to the last 16, with a win guaranteeing a place in the last eight, while a draw or defeat against Djurgarden could also see them through, depending on results elsewhere.

Legia Warsaw have not played since their defeat to Lugano, and prior to that they had gone on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions, including a 3-0 away win over Zaglebie Lubin. The result moved them up to fourth in the Polish Ekstraklasa standings and within three points of the European spots.

The Militarians travel to Sweden on Thursday with an impressive away record, having won 10, drawn four and lost just two of their 16 away games in all competitions this season, winning three of their last four by 3-0 scorelines.

Recent Performance

Djurgardens IF Conference League form:WDLWWW

Djurgardens IF form (all competitions):WLWWWW

Legia Warsaw Conference League form:WWWWWL

Legia Warsaw form (all competitions):LWWDWL

Team News

Djurgarden will be without Piotr Johansson as he continues to recover from a long-term knee injury, while fellow defender Miro Tenho is suspended after being sent off in the win over Vikingur Reykjavik last time out.

Thirty-nine-year-old club legend Haris Radetinac will end his 12-year association with the club on Thursday, making his 304th and final appearance for the club, although it remains to be seen whether the striker, who has just one goal in 26 appearances this season, will start.

Top scorer Deniz Hummet is expected to lead the line, having netted 18 times in 36 appearances this term, while Gustav Wikheim and Tokmac Nguen could provide support on the flanks.

Legia Warsaw are without Kacper Tobiasz (arm), Ruben Vinagre (ankle ligament), Maxi Oyedele (ankle), Jan Leszcynski, Juergen Elitim (both knees) and Rafal Augustyniak (unspecified).

Defender Radovan Pankov is also ruled out as he is suspended after being sent off against Lugano, meaning Sergio Barcia or Jan Ziolkowski could start at centre-back alongside Steve Kapuadi.

Marc Gual, the club's top scorer with 12 goals this season, has contributed five goals (two goals, three assists) in his last three Conference games and is expected to lead the line for the visitors.

Possible starting lineup

Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:

Rinne; Stahl, Larsson, Danielsson, Kosugi; Stensson, Sabovic; Wikheim, Gulliksen, Nguen; Hummet

Legia Warsaw possible starting lineup:

Kobylak; Wszolek, Garcia, Kapuadi, Kun; Kapustka, Celhaka, Morishita; Chodyna, Guol, Luquinhas