Tactics
Antwerp coach Brian Priske has not stuck to a preferred starting line-up in his first five months in charge. The 44-year-old has tended to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation domestically, and did so against Olympiacos on UEFA Europa League Matchday 1, but has varied his side since then in Europe. The tactician sent his team out in a 4-4-2 set-up in the 1-0 defeat to Eintracht in the reverse fixture, but used a 4-3-3 on Matchdays 3 and 4 against Fenerbahce.
Absentees
Oliver Glasner is likely to be without Christopher Lenz, who has been training individually for a number of weeks now.
For the guests, Aurélio Buta is rated doubtful due to a muscle injury sustained in mid-October.
Statistics
Of the 65 teams to have played in 20 Europa League group games or more, Eintracht have the second best win ratio at 77 per cent, having taken maximum points 17 times from their 22 group matches. Zenit St. Petersburg are top in this regard with 19 victories from 24 games (79 per cent win ratio).
Including qualification, Antwerp have lost seven of their last nine outings in European competition (W1 D1 L7).
Head-to-head
Thursday’s game is just the second meeting between Eintracht and Antwerp; the Eagles won the first one 1-0 on Matchday 2.
