Salzburg vs Mjällby AIF – News and Probable Lineups

Red Bull Salzburg is set to host Mjallby AIF at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday evening for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifying matchup.

In the initial leg played last week, Die Rotten Bullen managed a late 1-0 victory after Tom Pettersson inadvertently scored an own goal in stoppage time.

Match overview

Having begun the season positively with five wins and no losses in their first seven competitive games, RB Salzburg will be feeling confident about not just reclaiming the top spot in the Áustrian Bundesliga during this campaign, but also making a significant impact on the European front.

After dominating the league for a decade with ten consecutive titles, Die Rotten Bullen have experienced a decline in recent years, losing their position at the top to both Sturm Graz and most recently LASK since their last triumph in the 2022-23 season.

Nevertheless, sitting fourth currently in the standings, Danny Rohl’s squad will be pleased with their opening to the latest domestic season, having secured two wins and one draw in their three Bundesliga fixtures while having played one match fewer than many of their rivals.

Following a third-place finish in the league last season, RB Salzburg is participating in the Europa League playoff rounds for the first time in over a decade, and after clinching a 1-0 win away from home in the first leg, the Áustrian club aims to make consecutive appearances in the group stage by concluding the matchup effectively this Thursday evening.

As they gear up to entertain Mjallby this week, Die Rotten Bullen will also be eager to extend their flawless home record against Swedish teams, winning all competitive matches played at home while scoring eight goals and conceding only one across three encounters.

Mjallby AIF, after claiming their first Allsvenskan title in 2025, finishing 13 points in front of second-place Hammarby and becoming the 16th different club to lead the Swedish top flight, are now participating in European competitions for the first time in the 2026-27 season.

Entering the Europa League qualifying rounds at the final playoff stage, only RB Salzburg stands in the way of Gulsvart and the league phase of the tournament, but they are confronted with a challenge as they head into this week’s second leg.

Making the trip to the Red Bull Arena, where the hosts have won all their matches this season, Karl Marius Aksum’s side needs to overcome a one-goal deficit to advance further in the tournament; otherwise, they will drop into the Conference League’s league stage.

However, having fallen out of the Champions League qualifying stages and currently occupying a disappointing 11th place in their first Allsvenskan season as defending champions, with just one victory in their last seven outings, Mjallby will undoubtedly need to elevate their performance to succeed.

Team News

For the upcoming fixture, RB Salzburg will be without both Gaoussou Diakite and Soumaila Diabate, as they continue rehabilitation from hamstring injuries.

Frans Kratzig and Anrie Chase also missed the first leg due to thigh concerns, while defender Stefan Lainer is not likely to participate due to a heel injury, although he has recently resumed light training.

Midfielders Johannes Moser and Justin Omoregie are expected to be sidelined for extended periods due to adductor and shoulder injuries, respectively.

Forward Enrique Aguilar, requiring surgery due to a forearm break sustained earlier this month, is not anticipated to return until October.

Mjallby approaches Thursday’s match with almost a fully fit squad, suggesting that Aksum may opt for the same strong lineup that was employed last week.

Gulsvart’s only current absentee is Finnish forward Timo Stavitski, who is anticipated to return within the next month following a back injury sustained in May.

With seven goals from the 16 league matches he has played this season, striker Jacob Bergstrom stands out as the visitors’ main threat, as they hope he can increase his tally this week and propel his team into the tournament’s group stage.

Red Bull Salzburg probable starting XI:

Zawieschitzky; Veratschnig, Boma, Zabransky, Schmid; Mazurek, Barry; Redzic, Vertessen, Baidoo; Tabakovic

Mjallby AIF probable starting XI:

Wallinder; Miettinen, Iqbal, Pettersson; Nielsen, Gustafson, Gustaxon, Samuelsen; Kjaer, Bergstrom, Lindberg

With a late goal securing victory in the first leg, it’s hard to envision anything other than RB Salzburg advancing to the group stage of the Europa League on Thursday evening.

While it’s possible the visitors may present some challenges to the Áustrian side, particularly in the opening phases of the match, we anticipate Die Rotten Bullen to qualify comfortably with an impressive performance in front of their home supporters.