Probably not much to choose between Rapid Vienna and FC Thun but the Austrians are in better form and can make home advantage count on Thursday.
Three points are a necessity for both these teams if qualification for the knockout stage is to be achieved and I think the Bundesliga side can secure the win they require to remain in the hunt for a place in the last 32.
Locked on three points after four matches, both trail Genk and Dynamo Kiev but that pair met in Belgium tonight and there is an opportunity to make the pace-setters sweat on matchday 6.
Thun edged the first encounter in September, Christian Schneuwly with the only goal of the game, but they have won just once in their previous ten away matches and are languishing in sixth place in the Super League.
Thun have won just four of their opening 15 matches and a 4-1 defeat at leaders Basel on Saturday was hardly ideal preparation for the trip across the border.
It is three consecutive Europa League defeats for Thun and they have shipped seven goals in those trio of reversals.
Rapid Vienna have amassed their three points in Group G following as many hard-fought draws and shared four goals in both their other home matches.
Just three defeats in the Bundesliga sees them trailing only Salzburg at the top of the standings and rivals Austria Vienna have performed with credit in this season’s Champions League, earning two excellent away points at Zenit and Porto.
It is now seven matches in all competitions in which Thursday’s hosts have managed to score at least two goals in front of their own fans and the 10/11 for them to brush aside a possibly de-motivated Thun appeals.
3pts Back Rapid Vienna (vs. FC Thun) @ 10/11