Egnatia Rrogozhinë welcome Lillestrøm to Arena Egnatia on Thursday evening for the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie.

Both clubs are already guaranteed league-phase football this season, with the winners progressing to the Europa League and the losers dropping into the Conference League. Egnatia arrive after a remarkable comeback against Shamrock Rovers, while Lillestrøm are looking to rediscover their best form after a difficult spell in the Eliteserien.

Egnatia Rrogozhinë

Egnatia have already made history by ensuring that Albania will be represented in the main phase of a UEFA club competition for the first time since 2017-18.

Nevil Dede’s side began their European campaign in Champions League qualifying, where they eliminated Petrocub before eventually dropping into the Europa League. Their continental adventure continued with an extraordinary victory over Shamrock Rovers in the previous round.

Egnatia returned home trailing 3-1 from the first leg but produced a stunning response, winning 5-1 to complete a 6-4 aggregate victory and book their place in the playoffs.

That result underlined both the strengths and weaknesses of the Albanian champions. Egnatia have lost only once in six European matches this summer, but those fixtures have produced 29 goals and they are still waiting for their first clean sheet.

Their attacking approach has therefore made them dangerous throughout qualifying, particularly at home, but Lillestrøm should also find opportunities if Egnatia continue to leave space defensively.

Alessandro Albanese has been one of their standout performers, scoring three goals in five European appearances, and the winger should again play an important role on Thursday.

Dede will be forced into at least one defensive change. Edison Ndreca is suspended after collecting two yellow cards against Shamrock Rovers, with Numan Ajetovikj expected to replace him. Guillem Jaime is also doubtful after suffering an injury in the previous European fixture.

Lillestrøm

Lillestrøm earned their place in Europa League qualifying through a memorable Norwegian Cup triumph achieved while they were still playing second-tier football.

Having returned to the Eliteserien, Hans Erik Ødegaard’s side have made a respectable start to life back in the top flight and sit fifth with 26 points from 17 matches.

Their recent results are less encouraging. Lillestrøm suffered three consecutive defeats before ending that run with a 1-1 draw away to KFUM Oslo at the weekend.

Ødegaard may nevertheless take encouragement from finally stopping the losing sequence and could retain the same starting XI for the trip to Albania.

Felix Vá scored against KFUM and has now contributed four goals and five assists in 17 appearances this season, making him one of Lillestrøm’s most productive attacking players.

Eric Kitolano is also available again following a broken leg, although the midfielder is still being eased back into action and is expected to begin on the bench.

Lillestrøm have far less recent European experience than their opponents. Their previous continental campaign came in 2022-23, when Royal Antwerp eliminated them 5-1 on aggregate in Conference League qualifying.

The Norwegian side will therefore need to handle both the occasion and an Egnatia team that have already demonstrated how dangerous they can be on home soil.

Verdict

Egnatia’s European matches have consistently produced goals, and their 5-1 comeback victory against Shamrock Rovers showed how difficult they can be to contain in Albania. Their failure to keep a clean sheet in six qualifiers, however, gives Lillestrøm a clear route into the contest.

The Norwegian visitors have been struggling for victories domestically, but they possess enough attacking quality to exploit Egnatia’s defensive vulnerabilities.

With the second leg still to come in Norway, Lillestrøm do not need to force the issue, and a competitive first leg could see them return home with the tie very much in their favour.

Tip

Lillestrøm draw no bet.