FC Twente v Union St Gilloise Preview | Two sides in desperate need of three Europa League points meet in Enschede | OneFootball

Both FC Twente and Union St Gilloise could do with three points when the sides meet on Thursday. Both sides are winless in this years Europa League competition, and with only three games to go after this one they could do with getting a win. Twente, with three draws and one defeat, sit just a point above Union who have drawn two and lost two so far. Defensively, Union have been better, only conceding four to Twente’s six, yet at the other end the Belgian side have only found the net twice, with Twente scoring four times.

Twente are unbeaten in their last five games, having beaten Fortuna Sittard 2-1 away from home last Saturday. Sem Steijn once again found the net, giving the midfielder 10 goals in 17 games. The 23-year-old has yet to score in the Europa League this season. Former Anderlecht man Michel Vlap has also been in good form with five goals and three assists in 19 games. Twente will be without defender Bart van Rooij after he was sent off during their 2-2 draw with Nice last time out.

Union are also unbeaten in their last five games, although three of these have been draws. They beat league leaders Genk 4-0 just before the international break, but returned to a 1-1 draw with struggling OH Leuven. This inconsistency has been something new for a side that have been one of the top sides in Belgian football recently. Part of that has been due to their drop off in goals. Mohamed Fuseini leads the side with four goals. Their defence will also take a potential hit this Thursday, with Japanese defender Koki Machinda struggling with an injury.

After Union, Twente will face Olympiacos, Malmo and Besiktas. Union have clashes with Nice, Braga and Rangers.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson