Competing in the Europa League for the first time in their history, Rigas Futbola Skola are one of only five clubs in the 36-team table who have failed to win any of their first six matches in the newly-formed League Phase of this season's competition.

RFS most recently lost 2-1 at Maccabi Tel-Aviv on December 12, a result that leaves them in 34th place in the standings with only two points, five behind the last-16 playoff positions with only two games remaining.

Viktors Morozs's side finished their domestic campaign at the end of November last year, winning the Latvian top-flight title for the third time in four seasons, and they have since been taking part in friendly fixtures to maintain their fitness levels for the Europa League.

Since their aforementioned defeat to Maccabi Tel-Aviv, RFS have won two and drawn one out of three friendly matches, with a 2-1 defeat to Nomme Kalju sandwiched between a thumping 7-0 win over Super Nova and a 1-0 success at Zalgiris last weekend.

RFS head into Thursday's encounter with Ajax having failed to win any of their previous 12 European matches (D4 L8) - the only two teams in history who have played more games without ever winning in Europe are Liechtenstein-based outfit Vaduz (16) and Cypriot side Pezoporkos Larnaka (14).

After being knocked out in the last 16 of the KNVB Beker to AZ Alkmaar, Ajax returned to winning ways last weekend when they secured a 2-0 victory against Heerenveen to boost their hopes of winning the Eredivisie title.

Goals either side of half time from Josip Sutalo and Chuba Akpom helped the Amsterdam giants move to within a point of Eredivisie leaders and reigning champions PSV Eindhoven, who suffered their second defeat in four matches last time out.

Before locking horns with Feyenoord in their next Dutch top-flight fixture on February 2, Francesco Farioli's side will focus solely on their final two Europa League matches against RFS and Galatasaray as they attempt to avoid elimination at the first hurdle for the second successive season.

Ajax currently sit 11th in the 36-team table with 10 points from six matches (W3 D1 L2) and they are just one point behind the top eight where they need to finish if they wish to guarantee last-16 qualification.

De Godenzonen enter Thursday's first-ever meeting with RFS having won only one of their last eight Europa League away games, but they will be boosted by the fact that Dutch clubs have won six of their previous eight European encounters with Latvian opposition, with six clean sheets kept in the process.

RFS will be without Ismael Diomande, Martins Kigurs (both knee) and Emerson Deocleciano (leg) as they continue to recover from injury.

Next month, Adam Markhiyev will depart the club to join Aris Limassol. However, on Thursday, he is in the running to start in the centre - midfield position, playing alongside Stefan Panic and Dmitrijs Zelenkovs.

This season (including qualifiers), Janis Ikaunieks has netted a team - leading seven goals in ten Europa League matches. In the attack, he could be supported by Cedric Kouadio.

Regarding Ajax, the conditions of Benjamin Tahirovic (concussion) and Owen Wijndal (knee) will be evaluated. Jorrel Hato is suspended as he has received three yellow cards in the League Phase. Additionally, Davy Klaassen is not eligible to play.

Devyne Rensch is on the verge of joining Roma, so Anton Gaaei could be tasked with playing at left-back, while Sutalo and Youri Baas are set to continue in the heart of the defence.

Kenneth Taylor is Ajax's top scorer this term with nine goals and is in contention to start again in midfield next to Jordan Henderson and either Branco van den Boomen or Kian Fitz-Jim, while Akpom will continue to battle with Brian Brobbey for a start up front.

Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:

Ondoa; Njie, Prenga, Lipuscek; Savalnieks, Markhiev, Panic, Zelenkovs, Odisharia; Ikaunieks, Kouadio

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Rugani, Baas, Sutalo, Gaaei; Van den Boomen, Henderson, Taylor; Berghuis, Akpom, Godts