Linfield are set host Zurich at the Windsor Park in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday night.
Both sides will continue their Europe qualification campaign in the Europa League after failing to continue in the Champions League in the second round with Linfield falling 8-1 on aggregate to Bodo/Glimt, while Zurich were dispatched 5-4 on aggregate by Qarabag.
Both will now be looking to avoid a further drop to the Conference League as they battle to get closer to the group stage of the Europa League.
Linfield are yet to start their defence of the NIFL Premiership title, but they did win both of their competitive home fixtures in the Champions League qualifiers last month, keeping a clean sheet on both occasions and will fancy carrying on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Zurich already began their defence of the Swiss top flight title, but it has been a disappoint start ast5 they have won none of their opening three matches, picking one draw while suffering two defeats in the process.
They have now failed to win any of their last six matches across all competitions, and have lost each of their last four away matches in row. They therefore have an awful lot to work on before the Thursday clash.
Linfield vs FC Zurich head to head
This will be the first meeting the two sides. Take a look at their previous encounters;
Home
- Bodo/Glimt 8-0 Linfield
- Linfield 1-0 Bodo/Glimt
- Linfield 2-0 New Saints
- New Saints 1-0 Linfield
- Linfield 1-2 St Mirren
Away
- St Gallen 2-0 Zurich
- Zurich 2-2 Qarabag
- Zurich 0-0 Luzern
- Qarabag 3-2 Zurich
- Young Boys 4-0 Zurich
Linfield team news
Linfield will be without Joel Cooper and Jimmy Callacher due to injury, while Kirk Millar will missthrough suspension.
Zurich team news
Zurich have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash.
Prediction and odds
- Double chance (1, X)
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 1.5