Union Saint-Gilloise will be looking to continue their winning start to the Europa League group stage on Thursday, when they welcome Malmo to Belgium
While the hosts came out on top over Union Berlin in their opening game, the Swedish outfit fell to a defeat at the hands of Sporting Braga.
Union SG earned European group-stage football through a second-placed finish in the Belgian top flight last season, and they met Scottish giants Rangers in the third round of Champions League qualifying and took a 2-0 lead into the away leg through goals from Teddy Teuma and Dante Vanzeir.
However, that lead would be overturned at Ibrox, as their hosts progressed with a 3-0 victory on the night, with the decisive goal coming from Malik Tillman in the 78th minute after James Tavernier and Antonio Colak had drawn the Gers level.
That defeat saw Union SG drop into the Europa League group stage and they began with a trip to Germany to face Union Berlin last weekend, eventually prevailing as they held on for a 1-0 victory after Senne Lynen’s 39th-minute goal.
Meanwhile, Malmo will make the rip hoping to put their first points on the board, as their group campaign began with a defeat after fighting through qualifying.
After winning the Swedish Allsvenskan title for the 22nd time in their history last season, Malmo entered Champions League qualifying in the first round and defeated Vikingur Reykjavik before losing 3-0 to Zalgiris and dropping into the third round of Europa League qualifying.
After progressing to the group stage after beating Diddeleng and Sivasspor, they would start their bid to reach the knockout round with a tough test at home to Sporting Braga last week, and they eventually fell short as Bruno Rodrigues and Ricardo Horta fired their visitors to a two-goal lead.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Malmo head to head
These two teams have not previously met on any occasion and this is their first meeting in the Europa League group stages.
Union Saint-Gilloise latest home form
Union SG were beaten 2-1 by Genk in their last home game in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their previous five matches. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded four.
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Sporting Charleroi 29/07/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Rangers 02/08/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Kortrijk 13/08/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Anderlecht 28/08/22
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-2 Genk 11/09/22
Union Saint-Gilloise latest away form
Union SG have recently been on an upturn in form on the road, as they have won each of their two most recent matches. They defeated Union Berlin 1-0 in their last away game in the Europa League. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 11.
Mechelen 3-0 Union Saint-Gilloise 06/08/22
Rangers 3-0 Union Saint-Gilloise 09/08/22
Antwerp 4-1 Union Saint-Gilloise 31/08/22
Zulte Waregem 1-3 Union Saint-Gilloise 04/09/22
Union Berlin 0-1 Union Saint-Gilloise 08/09/22
Malmo latest home form
Malmo have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Norrkoping 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and also conceded six.
Malmo 3-1 GIF Sundsvall 14/08/22
Malmo 3-1 Sivasspor 18/08/22
Malmo 0-1 Kalmar 28/08/22
Malmo 0-2 Sporting Braga 08/09/22
Malmo 2-1 Norrkoping 11/09/22
Malmo latest away form
Malmo were beaten 3-2 by Elfsborg in their last away game in the league. However, they have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 16 goals and conceded six.
F91 Dudelange 2-2 Malmo 11/08/22
Mjallby 1-1 Malmo 21/08/22
Sivasspor 0-2 Malmo 25/08/22
Bralanda 0-9 Malmo 31/08/22
Elfsborg 3-2 Malmo 04/09/22
Union Saint-Gilloise news
Union SG are yet to find a regular goalscorer so far this season, but Victor Boniface should continue to lead the line following his recent arrival from Bodo/Glimt.
Following an impressive clean sheet in their win at Union Berlin, Siebe Van der Heyden, Christian Burgess and Ismael Kandouss should again form the back three.
Malmo news
Malmo’s attack will be spearheaded by Isaac Kiese Thelin, who scored twice in European qualifying and took his tally to 10 league goals for the season against Norrkoping.
Jo Inge Berget will again be relied on to provide attacking support, while Ola Toivonen could also be brought in to offer further threat.
Prediction and Odds
Malmo head into the contest in search of their first win of the group following their defeat to Braga, and will feel motivated by their league win last time out.
However, Union SG were far more impressive in the opening round of fixtures, and we feel they will continue their impressive run on Thursday.
Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Malmo
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Malmo
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Malmo
Union Saint-Gilloise 3-1 Malmo
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-1 Malmo
