On Thursday evening, Rapid Vienna host Internazionale in the last 32 of the Europa League, as both teams look for a vital advantage to take into the second leg in a week’s time.
Rapid Vienna finished second in a group that contained Rangers, Villarreal and Spartak Moscow. In reality, the Austrian giants have been inconsistent in the Europa League. However, in their last two group games of the competition, Rapid won at Spartak Moscow before beating Rangers on home soil.
Their recent Europa League games have been low scoring, with their last three European games producing under 2.5 goals.
One big positive for the home side is their home record in Europe’s secondary competition, as they are unbeaten in eight matches on home soil, winning five matches and drawing three of their games.
One big factor in Rapid’s recent home European record is their solid defensive record, as the Austrian side has kept clean sheets in four of their last five home games.
Inter’s recent form has been inconsistent of late. The Nerazzurri dropped out of the Champions League on gameweek 6. However, the Italian team will feel confident of progressing into the next round of this competition.
Inter have a poor recent record in the Europa League, winning just two of their last eight matches in the competition, suffering six defeats in the process. Their recent Europa League matches have at least offered good entertainment value, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five matches.
The visitor’s recent away record in the Europa League is poor, as they have failed to win in seven games on their travels, suffering four straight defeats in this competition. Poor defensive displays in Europe’s secondary competition have seen the Nerazzurri concede at least two goals in their last five away matches.
Forebet predicts that Inter will end their poor recent record in the Europa League by recording a narrow win heading into the second leg in Milan.