The champions of Slovenia host the champions of Norway in the Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday night.
The Ljudski vrt stadium will be the site of the first leg as the group stage hopefuls clash in Maribor. Both clubs will fancy their chances of progressing to the playoff round.
Maribor have started their domestic campaign poorly. The Slovenians have gained just three points from four possible with three draws and a loss.
Manager Darko Milanic’s team has had to deal with the first two qualifying rounds of the Champions League on top of their domestic schedule. The combination of competitions can be blamed for their slow domestic start.
Maribor defeated Iceland’s Valur in the first qualifying round 5-0 before narrowly defeating Sweden’s AIK 4-4 on away goals. Their second leg fixture against AIK saw Maribor need extra-time to find the all-important third away goal.
Rosenborg will be a difficult team to defeat. The Norwegians started the season slowly as well, winning just once in their first eight Eliteserien fixtures. Since mid-May, Rosenborg have lost just once in eight matches in the league.
Eirik Horneland’s team go into the midweek showdown in Slovenia having drawn with Sarpsborg at the weekend, 1-1.
Like Maribor, Rosenborg have had to play the first two qualifying rounds of the Champions League. Rosenborg defeated Linfield 6-0 on aggregate to open qualifying and just edged past BATE Borisov 3-2 in the second qualifying round.
BATE Borisov won their first leg encounter against Rosenborg in Belarus, 2-1. Could the Norwegians suffer another away first leg loss with their tricky fixture in Slovenia?
Maribor and Rosenborg have not met previously. However, both sides are accustomed to playing in European qualifying.
Maribor last made the Champions League group stage in 2014-15. This is their fifth straight season since then that they have competed in either Champions League or Europa League qualification.
Rosenborg competed in Champions League qualification last season before joining the Europa League. As one of Norway’s premier clubs, they are regulars in Europe.
Alexander Soderlund is Rosenborg’s dangerman. The forward has tallied five goals in the Eliteserien this season. Attacking midfielder Mike Jensen has added a further four.
Maribor have scored just three times on the domestic front while conceding four goals. Their slow start is down to a focus on reaching the Champions League group stage and the riches such a feat attains a Slovenian club.
Playing at home on Wednesday night, Maribor should get the upper hand against Rosenborg. Just like in their first leg against BATE Borisov, Rosenborg will struggle away from home.
The match should be low scoring as Maribor pick up a first leg win at home against Rosenborg.