Sint-Truiden vs Omonia – News and Probable Lineups

Sint-Truiden will take on Omonia in the initial leg of their Europa League playoff round on Thursday evening.

The team that emerges victorious in this matchup will secure a place in the League Phase, while the losing side will be relegated to the main stage of the Conference League.

Match overview

Following what many considered a surprising third-place finish in Belgium’s top division during the 2025-26 season, Sint-Truiden is gearing up for a transition to continental competition.

Last season, STVV had to navigate through the relegation playoffs to retain their spot in the league, a close call that underscores their progress since the summer of 2025.

The focus now will be on maintaining their position among Belgium’s elite, as Sint-Truiden recognizes that clubs such as Club Brugge and Union SG are currently a step ahead of them.

Frederic De Meyer has watched his squad begin the new season with consecutive draws against Lommel SK and Cercle Brugge.

Considering they also did not win any of their last three pre-season fixtures against Al-Jazira, Helmond, and AEK Athens, STVV does not seem to be in optimal form going into this match.

On the other hand, Omonia successfully progressed past a tightly contested third qualifying round against Lincoln Red Imps, ensuring at least a third consecutive campaign in the League Phase of the Conference League.

In both previous seasons, the Cypriot team entered the knockout playoff phase only to face elimination, showcasing a club whose aspirations continue to expand each year.

Squeezing past Lincoln Red Imps with a 2-1 aggregate score gives Omonia the opportunity to make their first appearance in the main phase of the Europa League since the 2022-23 season, where they lost all six of their matches against Manchester United, Real Sociedad, and Sheriff Tiraspol.

Having won last season’s Cypriot top division, Henning Berg’s side has only conceded two goals across four European matches this term.

Team News

Given that STVV led Cercle Brugge before making substitutions in the 87th minute, De Meyer may opt to field the same starting lineup.

Central midfielder Ryan Merlen scored twice in that game, already tallying one goal shy of the total he achieved in close to 1,000 minutes of action in 2025-26.

Despite not finding the net in his first two top-flight appearances, 20-year-old talent Frederic Soelle will aim to retain his position in the lineup.

Minimal changes are also anticipated for the Omonia starting XI, with the experienced new recruit Lois Diony likely to feature in the attack after netting his inaugural goal for the club against Lincoln Red Imps.

In the event of a change, Greek international Anastasios Chatzigiovanis, who recorded five goals and four assists in the league during the 2025-26 season, is likely to reclaim his spot on the left side.

Sint-Truiden probable starting XI:

Kokubo; Hata, Mbe Soh, Musliu, Pupe; Sissako, Ishiwatari; Vanwesemael, Merlen, Sebaoui; Sole Sole

Omonia probable starting XI:

Fabiano; Nego, Coulibaly, Panagiotou, Balkovec; Maric, Andreou; Costa, Tankovic, Montnor; Dion

With STVV having recorded successive draws and Omonia involved in four closely contested European ties thus far, it suggests that this fixture will be a competitive one. This leads us to anticipate a low-scoring draw that may benefit both teams, leaving everything to play for in the return leg.