Preview:Dundee United vs Rapid Vienna - prediction, team news, lineups

The fight for Europa Conference League qualification continues this Thursday night as Dundee United welcome Rapid Vienna to Tannadice Park.

Both teams battled to a 2-2 draw in the opening leg of this third-round qualifying clash, meaning that the tie remains in the balance as we head into the reverse fixture.

Match preview

Finishing fourth in the Scottish Premiership last season earned Dundee United a rare shot at continental football – their second such opportunity since 2013.

After overcoming Luxembourg’s UNA Strassen in the second qualifying round, Dundee United were handed a big step-up in opposition in the form of Austrian heavyweights, Rapid Vienna.

Despite coming up against an experienced European side, the Tangerines certainly gave a good account of themselves in the opening leg, holding the Austrian side to a 2-2 draw.

Dundee United will have home advantage in the reverse fixture, though that may not count for much considering last week’s disappointing result in the Scottish Premiership.

A 3-2 defeat to Hearts at Tannadice Park was not the result Jim Goodwin’s side were hoping for ahead of their huge European clash.

Rapid Vienna, on the other hand, are yet to lose a match since the start of the new season, winning five of their six games across all competitions.

Peter Stoger and his men powered past Montenegro’s Decic Tuzi in the previous qualifying round, while their domestic record has remained perfect with three wins from three.

In fact, the only team to stop the Austrian side in their tracks were Dundee United during what proved to be a thrilling opening leg in Vienna.

Despite the first leg result, the Green and Whites will take a lot of confidence into the deciding match after beating Sturm Graz last weekend.

Their 2-1 victory away from home puts the team in a strong position ahead of their trip to Scotland – their first game against Dundee United since their 1984 meeting in the quarter-final of the European Cup.

Dundee United Conference League form:

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Dundee United form (all competitions):

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Rapid Vienna Conference League form:

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Rapid Vienna form (all competitions):

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Team News

Dundee boss Jim Goodwin has been dealing with a number of injuries in this early stage of the new season. Ross Graham, for example, is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to remain out of action for some time.

Ryan Strain and Kristijan Trapanovski are also dealing with hamstring issues and should be back within the next two or three months.

Isaac Pappoe was stretched off early in the first leg against Rapid, and his fitness remains unknown. Dario Naamo, meanwhile, is closing in on a comeback.

Rapid Vienna have got their own squad issues to worry about; Noah Bischof is carrying an ankle injury, while Tobias Borkeeiet and Amin-Elias Groller have been dealing with problems.

Moritz Oswald and Jakob Scholler have both been out of action over the summer and will remain on the sidelines this Thursday night.

Dundee United possible starting lineup: Kucherenko; Keresztes, Esselink, Iovu; Dolcek, Sibbald, Camara, Sevelj, Thomson; Sapsford, Stirton

Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup: Hedl; Horn, Raux Yao, Marcelin, Bolla; Amane, Sangare; Dahl, Seidl, Radulovic; Antiste

We say: Dundee United 1-2 Rapid Vienna (Rapid Vienna win 4-3 on aggregate)

Dundee United have done unbelievably well to turn this into a highly competitive tie, but we are backing Rapid Vienna to get over the line away in Scotland.

The Austrian side are unbeaten across all competitions this season and are coming into this game on the back of a solid league win. The same cannot be said about the Tangerines.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.