Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. Stuttgart - prediction, team news, lineups

Go Ahead Eagles and Stuttgart are each locked on six points and separated by just one spot in the 36-team Europa League table as they face off at Stadion De Adelaarshorst on matchday five, aiming to move closer to the top eight.

Although the Dutch hosts are 21st and their opponents sit 20th, only two points separate them from the coveted top eight, emphasising the importance of a win for the victor.

Match preview

All things considered, Go Ahead Eagles have had a decent-to-good Europa League debut, winning two and losing two after four rounds.

Last season’s KNVB Cup winners, however, go into Thursday’s fifth matchday possibly disappointed by their previous round result, losing 2-0 to hitherto winless Red Bull Salzburg and missing out on a chance to secure three consecutive wins in the competition.

Victories against Panathinaikos and Aston Villa have been sandwiched by losses to FCSB and Salzburg, leaving Melvin Boel’s team just inside the knockout playoff spots at the halfway point of the league phase.

Kowet’s position could either look healthier or more disadvantaged after matchday five; a win could bring the Deventer side closer to eighth-placed Viktoria Plzen on eight points, while a loss would have them looking over their shoulder, especially as Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz and Celtic all have four points heading into this week’s fixtures.

Their mixed form heading into Thursday’s match means a positive outcome cannot be confidently predicted; Boel’s team went into the international break beating Feyenoord 2-1, just days after their continental defeat to Salzburg, only to resume after the hiatus with a 4-2 loss at relegation-threatened Heracles.

Without a clean sheet in Europe this season and having kept no shutouts in four consecutive games across all competitions, Stuttgart’s eyes might light up at the prospect of travelling to the Dutch debutants.

Unlike their hosts, who have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions, Sebastian Hoeness’s team have claimed three victories, drawn one and lost one during that period.

Notably, the Swabians have scored two or more goals in four matches within this timeframe, including a 2-0 win over another Eredivisie side — Feyenoord — in the previous round at the start of November.

Stuttgart travel to Deventer effectively in the same situation as their hosts, as both teams are tied on six points after four rounds, and they aim to create separation from their hosts and improve their position in the table.

However, achieving this would require Die Roten to end their away losing streak in the competition, having failed to score in their 2-0 disappointment against Basel or in their 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahce.

Go Ahead Eagles Europa League form:

Go Ahead Eagles form (all competitions):

Stuttgart Europa League form:

Stuttgart form (all competitions):

Team News

Victor Edvardsen, Soren Tengstedt, Gerrit Nauber (leg) and Robbin Weijenberg (ACL) are unavailable for Go Ahead Eagles due to injuries.

Milan Smit has scored 50% of the home team’s four goals in Europe this season, and the forward aims to add to his continental tally this week.

Although he was sent off in the 4-2 loss at Heracles, Dean James has contributed a team-high two assists from left-back in the Europa League, highlighting his threat on the overlap.

While Tiago Tomas will be assessed after going off with an apparent injury in the 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, Ermedin Demirovic will not be involved due to a foot injury.

Although Luca Jaquez’s status is uncertain, the defender could still be involved despite a groin issue, having been included in the squad.

Deniz Undav enters Thursday’s match fresh off scoring a hat-trick against Dortmund, and the forward, who has scored six goals in his last three appearances for the club, should make his second Europa League start against the Dutch side.

Supporting Undav is Bilal El Khannouss, who scored match-winning goals against Celta and Feyenoord, and the Leicester City loanee aims to make his mark in an away European game.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

De Busser; Deijl, Meulensteen, Kramer, James; Twigt, Rahmouni; Suray, Goudmijn, Margaret; Smit

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Andres, Stiller; Bouanani, El Khannouss, Leweling; Undav

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-2 Stuttgart

With Undav in this excellent form, Stuttgart’s chances of success are certainly improved against their Dutch debutants.

Although the Bundesliga side are winless away from home in Europe this season, their opponents’ tendency to concede and their goal-scoring ability — supported by an in-form attacker — should give them the upper hand on matchday five.

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