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Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between Royal Antwerp and Lillestrom, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With only 90 minutes separating the teams from a place in the next round of the Europa Conference League qualifiers, Royal Antwerp and Lillestrom face off at the Bosuilstadion on Thursday.

The home side head into this one with a significant two-goal lead and will be confident of finishing the job in front of their fans.

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Match preview

Royal Antwerp made it five wins in a row across all competitions by seeing off the threat of Leuven in a 4-2 victory on Sunday evening.

Mark van Bommel's men trailed to Nachon Nsingi opener but managed to turn the game on its head before half time through Radja Nainggolan and Michael Frey, after which Louis Patris levelled matters at 2-2, only for a second-half double from Michel Ange Balikwisha to decide the contest.

Currently with the only remaining 100% record in the Belgian league courtesy of nine points from a possible nine so far, the Reds are three points clear at the top of the league table.

They now set out to successfully navigate their continental assignment in its concluding chapter following a 3-1 triumph in last week's first leg.

Unbeaten in their last seven matches on home turf in which they have kept clean sheets in four of them, Thursday's hosts will head into the clash with the wind in their sails.

Lillestrom were held to a disappointing 1-1 stalemate by Tromso when the teams squared off against each other at the Arasen Stadion on Sunday.

Geir Bakke's men trailed to Eric Kitolano's opener in the 36th minute before managing to rescue a point in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time thanks to Mads Christiansen.

Consequently, the Canaries have now fallen five points adrift of Molde at the top of the Eliteserien standings, albeit with a game in hand.

Ahead of a must-win encounter away from home, Thursday's visitors go in search of a fifth consecutive triumph on the road to keep their chance of making it through to the Europa Conference League group stages alive.

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Team News

With three goals in his last two outings for Antwerp, including a double in the first leg, Radja Nainggolan is certainly one to keep an eye on here.

Vincent Janssen is expected to return to lead the line here having had to settle with a second-half cameo against Leuven over the weekend.

Magnus Knudsen has found the back of the net in two of his last away games for Lillestrom, and the Norwegian will be looking to deliver the goods for his side once again.

Lars Ranger was handed a rare place in the starting XI last time out, but the 23-year-old defender is likely to be dropped to the bench for this one.

Royal Antwerp possible starting lineup:
Butez; Vines, Pacho, Almeida, De Laet; Gerkens, Nainggolan, Yusuf; Balikwisha, Janssen, Miyoshi

Lillestrom possible starting lineup:
Christiansen; Garnas, Ogbu, Pettersson; Smidesang, Matthew, Kairinen, Dragsnes; Ibrahimaj, Knudsen, Fridjonsson

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We say: Royal Antwerp 2-1 Lillestrom

Lillestrom are under more pressure to come out on top in this one, but a trip to Antwerp represents a very tough assignment for the Norwegian outfit. We fancy the home side to come out on top at the sound of the final whistle.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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