Preview:Legia Warsaw vs AEK Larnaca - prediction, team news, lineups

Heavily beaten in Cyprus last week, Legia Warsaw have a huge task ahead of them on Thursday, when they conclude their Europa League third-round qualifier against AEK Larnaca.

The Polish giants trail by three goals heading into this week's second leg, while AEK are already within touching distance of the playoffs.

Match preview

Despite going in level at half time, Legia lost control of the first leg in Larnaca, conceding three times after the break before Bartosz Kapustka was sent off at the end of a deflating 4-1 defeat.

So, a team that had gone unbeaten through seven previous games this season - including lifting the domestic Super Cup - are staring at an early Europa League exit.

Poland's most successful club had seen off Aktobe 2-0 on aggregate, before edging Banik Ostrava 4-3 over two legs, but they may soon be back in Europe's third-tier tournament.

As well as their run to the Conference League quarter-finals last term - when they were ultimately eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea - Legia finished fifth in the Ekstraklasa and lifted the cup.

Having reached the main stages of a UEFA competition in nine of the past 14 years, pressure is therefore piled on new coach Edward Iordanescu to improve on last season's feats.

But, after two stoppage-time strikes snatched victory from their third league outing on Sunday - with captain Artur Jedrzejczyk and sub Ryoya Morishita finding the net late on against GKS Katowice - they now need a minor miracle to go through.

Facing a tough trip to Warsaw for the second leg, AEK Larnaca truly made home advantage count in the tie's opening contest.

The Cypriot side have leaned heavily on strong showings at AEK Arena in all three qualifying rounds so far, helping them past Partizan Belgrade on penalties and then Celje by the odd goal in five.

Last month, new Basque boss Imanol Idiakez inherited a squad that had just ended a seven-year wait for silverware but only finished fourth in the league.

It was their Cypriot Cup triumph that opened the door to another continental qualification and an eighth appearance in the Europa League preliminaries.

If they can now finish the job in round three - having had the weekend off to prepare - AEK will book a playoff against either one of Nordic duo Hacken or Brann, with a league-phase place on offer to the winner.

Legia Warsaw Europa League form: W W D W L

Legia Warsaw form (all competitions): D W W D L W

AEK Larnaca Europa League form: W L D W W

Team News

Legia will be without Bartosz Kapustka due to suspension, after the Poland international saw red in Larnaca last week.

Amid strong interest from Roma, it remains to be seen whether young centre-back Jan Ziolkowski is selected, having been benched at the weekend.

Key man Juergen Elitim is sidelined by injury for the hosts, who will again turn to Jean-Pierre Nsame for inspiration: the striker has netted three goals in qualifying this term, taking his career tally in UEFA matches to 17.

Meanwhile, with two goals apiece, Angel Garcia and Yerson Chacon are AEK's leading scorers in Europe so far. The latter is set to support Polish striker Karol Angielski up front, as the ex-Piast Gliwice forward returns to his homeland.

Swedish midfielder Marcus Rohden has not re-appeared since limping off in the second round win over Celje and remains a major doubt.

Legia Warsaw possible starting lineup: Tobiasz; Wszolek, Kapuadi, Jedrzejczyk, Vinagre; Augustyniak, Urbanski; Morishita, Goncalves, Stojanovic; Nsame

AEK Larnaca possible starting lineup: Alomerovic; Ekpolo, Milicevic, Roberge, Gnali; Ledes, Miramon, Pons; Ivanovic, Angelski, Chacon