Lech Poznań vs Thun – News and Probable Lineups

On the brink of reaching the league phase of the Europa League, Polish champions Lech Poznan will host Swiss champions Thun at Enea Stadion for the first leg of their qualification playoff on Thursday.

Kolejorz enters this fixture as the favourites, although their opponents aim to build on their significant cup victory from their previous match.

Match overview

Niels Frederiksen’s Lech are displaying great form, and with four consecutive wins leading up to this clash, they are optimistic about starting the playoff strongly.

Kolejorz reached this point by defeating KI Klaksvik 6-0 on aggregate in the third round of Europa League qualifying, securing a close 1-0 win in the first leg and a resounding 5-0 victory in the second on August 14.

That latter win also marked Frederiksen’s team keeping a third consecutive clean sheet, and this defensive strength will likely be a key factor as they aim to solidify their place in European competitions.

Lech has a significant experience advantage over their opponents for Thursday’s match, having reached the round of 16 in the 2025-26 Conference League. However, it would be unwise for them to underestimate the challenge – especially considering that last season they were relegated to the third-tier competition after being eliminated during the Europa League playoff round.

The hosts, eager to finally secure a spot in the Europa League’s group stage, can take confidence from the fact that they have lost just one of their last 12 home fixtures, winning three of their latest five.

On the other hand, Gian-Luca Privitelli’s Thun has started the 2026-27 season sluggishly and will need to surpass expectations to advance from this tie.

The Swiss champions convincingly defeated Saxon-Sports 6-0 in their domestic cup, and while this result was promising, it was merely their third win in eight games so far this season – a period that includes four losses and one draw.

Compounding Privitelli’s challenges is the lack of experience on the continental stage, as the club has not reached the group stage of any UEFA competition since the 2013-14 Europa League season.

In fact, Thun had not even made it to the qualifiers at any level since the 2019-20 campaign, when they were eliminated by Spartak Moscow 5-3 on aggregate in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

On their route to this season’s playoff, the Swiss side overcame Vikingur Reykjavik 5-3 over two legs, winning the first match 3-0 at home before they narrowly advanced despite a 3-2 defeat in the second leg on August 13.

That loss away from home was part of a troublesome stretch, with three consecutive defeats leading up to Thun’s cup victory, during which they allowed at least three goals in each match.

Team News

Lech will be less potent in attack this week, with left winger Leo Bengtsson still on the mend from a foot issue, and right winger Ali Gholizadeh ruled out until 2027 due to a cruciate ligament injury.

Eighteen-year-old striker Kamil Jakobczyk could also miss out due to an ankle injury, though Mikael Ishak is expected to lead the attack, supported by a trio including Patrik Wallemark, Luis Palma, and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh.

Additionally, midfielder Filip Jagiello is working to regain fitness after a muscle issue and may not be included in the starting XI, but Antoni Kozubal and Pablo Rodriguez are likely to be featured in Frederiksen’s double pivot.

As for Thun, they are without centre-back Genis Montolio, who is sidelined until next year with a cruciate ligament injury, which means Marco Burki and Jan Bamert will likely continue as the core of the visitors’ defence.

Privitelli will also need to cope without defensive midfielder Mattias Kait, who has a muscle injury, and it’s expected that Justin Roth will partner Nassim Zoukit in the center of the pitch on Thursday.

Lech Poznan probable starting XI:

Smooth; Pereira, Skrzypczak, Monca, Gurgul; Kozubal, Rodriguez; Walemark, Palma, Sayyadmanesh; Isaac

Thun probable starting XI:

Stephen; Fehr, Baumert, Burki, Heule; Riechmuth, Roth, Zoukit, Matoshi; Good boy, Labeau

Lech are the favourites on paper and head into this match in excellent form, having recorded four straight victories prior to this kickoff.

Thun has struggled to find their rhythm this season, and with limited experience in UEFA competitions over recent years, it may be challenging for the visitors to stave off a defeat this Sunday.