Preview: Luzern vs FC Zurich - prediction, team news, lineups

Dreaming of playing continental football next season, European hopefuls Luzern will welcome FC Zurich to Swissporarena for a Swiss Super League showdown on Sunday.

Die Leuchten have made a winning start to the campaign, while FCZ are waiting for their first points.

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Match preview

Mario Frick's Luzern narrowly missed out on playing in UEFA competition this term, and they will be desperate to secure their spot for next season.

Die Leuchten ended their 2024-25 top-flight campaign sixth in the table with 52 points, just one shy of fifth-placed Lausanne-Sport, who made the Conference League's second qualifying round as a result.

In preparation for the return to league action, Frick's side took part in five friendlies, and though they only won two of those clashes, they opened the Swiss Super League season with a victory.

Last Saturday, Luzern came from behind to beat Grasshopper Club 3-2 on the road, but while the result was positive, the manager will be concerned that his team were twice trailing to the Hoppers, who only escaped demotion last season by winning the relegation playoff.

Another three points this weekend would give Die Leuchten a significant boost this early in the season, but given that the hosts have won just one of their last five competitive matches at Swissporarena, they will need to prove that last term's disappointment is well and truly in the past.

Zurich missed out on the Championship Group in 2024-25, and as a result, they dismissed manager Ricardo Moniz at the end of the season.

FCZ were hoping to qualify for European football, but despite matching Lausanne-Sport on 53 points, they were held back in seventh place due to the league's split.

Ahead of this weekend's clash, new head coach Mitchell van der Gaag won his first five pre-season friendlies on the bounce, though given that his team lost their two most recent games, their confidence may have taken a knock.

On matchday one, Zurich were defeated 3-2 on their own turf by Sion, and the boss will be extremely disappointed with the fact that his side were leading by two goals until the 81st minute, when Rilind Nivokazi's strike inspired a 10-minute comeback.

Looking to put points on the board on Sunday, FCZ could take heart from winning three of their last four away matches, but considering that the visitors have lost four consecutive competitive games on the road, fans would be forgiven for harbouring doubts.

Luzern Swiss Super League form:

FC Zurich Swiss Super League form:

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Team News

Luzern will be without centre-back Jesper Lofgren once again due to a hernia, so expect to see Stefan Knezevic and Adrian Bajrami start this weekend.

Likewise, striker Vars Villiger is out of action with a knee injury, and Adrian Grbic will start up top with Matteo Di Gusto operating just behind him in an attacking midfield role.

Elsewhere, right-back Sascha Britschgi was taken off late on against Grasshoppers, and if he is unavailable, then Andrejs Ciganiks could fill in.

As for Zurich, left-back Junior Ligue and young defender David Vujevic are not ready to take part on Sunday, so Neil Volken should start on the left-hand side of a back four featuring Ilan Sauter, Mariano Gomez and Lindrit Kamberi.

Further forward, striker Juan Jose Perea will be absent once again with the Achilles injury that has kept him out since March.

Luzern possible starting lineup:

Loretz; Britschgi, Knezevic, Bajrami, Freimann; Dorn, Owusu; Von Moos, Di Guisto, Spadanuda; Grbic

FC Zurich possible starting lineup:

Brecher; Kamberi, Gomez, Sauter, Volken; Zuber, Palacio, Reichmuth; Phaeton, Reverson, Emmanuel

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We say: Luzern 1-2 FC Zurich

 

Luzern have struggled for wins in competitive home matches, but they are likely to be on the scoresheet this weekend.

That being said, Zurich could pose a serious threat despite losing their opening game, and if they can eliminate the lapses in concentration that saw them concede three goals in 10 minutes last time out, then they could take maximum points on Sunday.

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

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