FC Lugano go return to AIL Arena on Wednesday 16 September at 7:00 pm, just few days after dem 2-2 draw with Young Boys for top-of-table clash. Na FC St. Gallen 1879 dem go host for the rescheduled match from Matchday 4 of Brack Super League, and crucial points dey at stake for top of table.
Lugano enter the match as league leaders with 19 points, three more than Young Boys, and dem still unbeaten this season. St. Gallen sit for fifth place on 10 points, three points behind Basel.
The match originally supposed to hold on 23 August, but dem postpone am so both teams go prepare well for their UEFA Conference League play-offs. Since then, their European campaigns take different paths.
FC Lugano see off Maccabi Tel Aviv and secure place for League Phase. St. Gallen however get knocked out by FC Nordsjælland. Their European exit coincide with difficult spell for league too for Enrico Maaßen side. Defeats against Thun and Grasshopper follow, then comeback away at Servette wey dem win 2-0 for Geneva, before dem suffer 3-0 home defeat to Sion on Saturday.
Three defeats and one win in their last four matches don leave St. Gallen for fifth place. But the result of latest fixture no fully reflect the match wey Biancoverdi play, especially for first half, dem create several chances without convert, while Sion make most of opportunities wey dem get.
For FC Lugano, the draw against Young Boys bring end to run of six consecutive league wins, though e no affect their position for table. After Daniel Dos Santos put dem ahead, the Bernese side turn result around before half-time, but Albian Ajeti late goal allow the bianconeri to finish 2-2 and maintain three-point lead over second place.
This rescheduled fixture now give both teams chance to complete their fixtures. St. Gallen can draw level with Basel on 13 points, while Lugano get opportunity to further consolidate their lead and move six points clear of Young Boys. Kick-off na Wednesday 16 September at 7:00 pm for AIL Arena.
Ahead of the match against St. Gallen, Mattia Croci-Torti go dey without Renato Steffen, who dem force off pitch for first half against Young Boys. Medical examinations reveal injury to him right leg wey go keep am out for next two matches. David von Ballmoos also get substitution at half-time for match against Bernese side due to abdominal discomfort. After e sit out last few training sessions as precaution, further examinations reveal no injury. Finally, Kevin Behrens return to play continue.
From recent form, FC Lugano play Young Boys at home for last game. E end 2-2 for AIL Arena. Mattia Croci-Torti team enjoy 59% possession and get seven shots on target, while Daniel Dos Santos and Albian Ajeti each score one goal. St. Gallen lost their previous game, dem lose at home to FC Sion 3-0 for Sitterstadion.
St. Gallen never lose to Lugano for past eight meetings. For their last clash, St. Gallen claim 2-1 away victory for AIL Arena. Previous 10 H2H matches end with five St. Gallen wins, two Lugano victories and three draws. The previous 10 H2H games for AIL Arena end in five St. Gallen victories, three draws and two Lugano wins.
Lugano get 7 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws, averaging 2.6 goals from 6.4 shots on goal and 16.6 attempts. The Black and Whites average 55.4% possession and 5.5 corners per match, with opposition scoring 1.0 goals from 4.0 shots on goal, 13.0 attempts and 3.9 corners. Top goalscorer Kevin Behrens don find net 4 times, with Yanis Cimignani and Dereck Moncada scoring 3 each. Anto Grgic na top assists maker with 4.
St. Gallen get 5 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws, with average of 19.9 attempts, 6.9 shots on goal and 1.8 goals. Enrico Maassen side average 49.9% possession, 6.9 corners awarded and 4.9 corners against them, while 1.7 goals dem concede from 4.4 shots on goal and 13.3 attempts. Aliou Balde, Nevio Scherrer and Lukas Goertler top score with 3, while Lukas Daschner next on 2. Chima Okoroji na top assist maker with 3 in last 10 games.
Lugano confirmed lineup (3-5-2): Felix Gebhardt for goal, Antonios Papadopoulos, Lars Lukas Mai, Joel Bichsel, Behruzjon Karimov, Uran Bislimi, Anto Grgic, Daniel Dos Santos, Yanis Cimignani, Beckham Castro, Elias Pihlstroem. St. Gallen confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Lawrence Ati-Zigi for goal, Colin Kleine-Bekel, Jozo Stanic, Chima Okoroji, Lukas Daschner, Joel Ruiz, Mihailo Stevanovic, Carlo Boukhalfa, Christian Witzig, Nevio Scherrer, Aliou Balde.
