Preview: Ferencvaros vs FC Noah - prediction, team news, lineups

Ferencvaros will be looking to secure their spot in the Champions League’s third qualifying round when they welcome Noah FC to the Groupama Arena this Wednesday night.

The Hungarian outfit came back from a goal down to win the first leg, and they will now be looking to get the job done in front of their home fans as they chase their first Champions League qualification in five years.

Match preview

Former Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane is the man in charge of Ferencvaros, and it is fair to say that the 45-year-old is enjoying a lot of early success in what is his third managerial gig.

Since taking over last January, Keane has taken the Hungarian giants to a league title, a domestic cup final, and the knockout stage of last season’s Europa League.

The next step for the Irishman is to take his club to the elite of European football and secure qualification for the Champions League – something Ferencvaros have not done in five years.

The Greens kicked off their qualifying campaign away in Armenia last week, and despite falling behind against Noah and going down to 10 men, Keane’s side battled back to earn a 2-1 victory.

Ferencvaros have since kicked off their league campaign with a 1-1 draw away against MTK Budapest, and they will be looking to return to winning ways this Wednesday against Noah in what will be their first home game of the season.

Speaking of the Armenian side, Sandro Perkovic and his men will have to overcome a woeful away record in Europe if they are to remain in the competition.

Noah have only ever won one away game in continental football, which came against North Macedonia’s Shkendija in the first qualifying round of last season’s Europa Conference League.

In fact, Noah are winless in their last five away games across all competitions, last winning a match on the road all the way back in early April.

For a club that has been around for just eight years, Noah have certainly done well to not only reach European football but also remain competitive.

The Armenian club won the league and cup double last season, and they are now looking to make more history in what is their first ever Champions League qualifying campaign.

Ferencvaros Champions League form:

Ferencvaros form (all competitions):

W D

FC Noah Champions League form:

W D L

Team News

Ferencvaros may have prevailed in the opening leg, but for the centre back pair of Ibrahim Cisse and Stefan Gartenmann, it was a truly disappointing evening.

Frenchman Cisse, for instance, was given a straight red card, and as a result, he will not be available for selection on Wednesday.

Gartenmann, on the other hand, scored an early own goal and was demoted to the bench for the club’s domestic season opener on Saturday.

If the Swiss defender is to make his return on Wednesday, he is likely to be joined in central defence by Gabor Szalai, who enjoyed a strong performance over the weekend.

Noah, meanwhile, have no fresh injury issues ahead of their trip to Hungary and can field their strongest side.

Summer signings Hovhannes Harutyunyan, Eric Boakye, and Marin Jakolis have all been in and around the squad in these early Champions League qualifying games, and they are expected to feature.

Goncalo Gregorio, who scored 27 goals last season across all competitions, will lead Noah’s attack.

Ferencvaros possible starting lineup: Dibusz; Gartenmann, Ramirez, Szalai, Makreckis; Keita, Traore, O'Dowda, Toth; Varga, Pesic

FC Noah possible starting lineup: Cancarevic; Boakye, Silva, Muradyan, Hambardzumyan; Eteki, Sangare, Ferreira, Jakolis; Gregorio, Omar

We say: Ferencvaros 2-0 FC Noah (Ferencvaros win 4-1 on aggregate)

Noah gave a good account of themselves in the opening leg, but they did not have enough quality to get a result.

Ferencvaros will certainly fancy their chances on home soil, and if they can keep 11 men on the field this time, we expect the hosts to come away with a healthy win.

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