Umaru Bangura’s Swiss Challenge League leaders on Thursday will be away in Turkey taking on Osmanlispor in their final Europa League group stage contest with a chance to reach the competition round of 32.
Precisely, Bangura’s Zürich-based club can qualify from Group L with a win in Turkey, but this tie is deeming to be his side’s toughest tests yet.
After reclaiming his spot in the FC Zürich first team four weeks ago, when they thrashed Servette 4-0 away from home at the Stadium de Genève, the Sierra Leone skipper has played in every game since returning from injury.
Mathematically, any of the four teams are still within sight of making the UEFA Europa League last 32 as only a single point separated them.
However, FC Zürich has an unpredictable record against Turkish oppositions, in their previous games; they won twice, two draws and two defeats.
FC Zürich won 2-1 when they host the Turkish side Osmanlıspor for the first time, on 29 September at their Letzigrund, Zurich Stadium in match-day two.
But Bangura’s side will have to be at their best this time if they are to progress, as Osmanlıspor remain unbeaten at home in Europe this season with four wins and a draw registered clean sheets in all of those wins.
The Swiss side have failed to make it through the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League group stage in two attempts since making the cut on their first appearance in 2007/08.
Elsewhere, Villarreal who have now won just one of their last five matches will hosts Steaua Bucharest in another tough mouth-watering contest at their Estadio El Madrigal, Stadium Villarreal.
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