The Round 7 match of the group stage of the 2025/26 Europa League between Feyenoord (Netherlands) and Sturm Graz (Austria) will take place on 22 January at Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam. Feyenoord vs Sturm Graz: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Feyenoord
Feyenoord lost away to FCSB (3:4) in the last round. That was the third defeat in a row and the fifth since the start of the main stage for the home side. The visitors even conceded in a match they won during this period. Moreover, the club has failed to keep a clean sheet in nine Europa League matches. Despite these results, Robin van Persie’s squad still has theoretical chances to fight for the play-offs, trailing the qualification zone by 4 points. However, that opportunity will disappear with a defeat in the upcoming game.
- The home side conceded at least two goals in 4 of their last 5 Europa League matches.
- At home in this competition the club is unbeaten in 7 of its last 9 matches (5 wins, 2 draws).
- In 5 of the last 7 home matches in the Europa League, Feyenoord scored no more than one goal.
Potential Feyenoord Lineup (4-3-3)*
Timon Wellenreuther – Jordan Lotomba, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Jordan Bos – Sam Stijn, Luciano Valente, Hwang In-beom – Kasper Tengstedt, Anis Hadj Moussa, Leo Sauer.
Defenders Gernot Trauner, Thomas Beelen, Malcolm Yeng, Bart Nieuwkoop, Gijs Smal, Jivairo Reid, forward Gaoussou Diarra and midfielder Jakub Moder are injured. Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow has left the squad.
Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz lost at home 0:1 to Crvena Zvezda in the last round. The visitors’ win means the Austrian side’s winless run in the Europa League has reached 4 matches (1 draw, 3 defeats). Sturm Graz have defensive issues: they managed a clean sheet in only one of their last 10 matches in this competition. With 3 points, the club sits 29th in the standings. The gap to the play-off zone is 4 points, so defeat in the next round would end the Austrians’ hopes of continuing in this European competition.
Since the new year the team has been led by Fabio Ingolitsch, who previously worked in the domestic championship.
- Sturm Graz failed to score more than one goal in 8 of their last 9 Europa League matches.
- On the road in this competition the team has a run of 5 consecutive defeats.
- In 8 of the last 10 away games in the Europa League the Austrians conceded at least twice.
Potential Sturm Graz Lineup (4-4-2)*
Oliver Christensen – Arijan Malic, Emir Karic, Niklas Geirhofer, Heiland Mitchell – Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Otar Kiteishvili, Tomi Horvat, Jakob Hoedl – Maurice Malone, Sidi Yatta.
Midfielder Tochi Chukwuani has transferred to Rangers.
Referee
Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
Matches – 7 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (including second yellow) – 36;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 5.1;
Red Cards Shown – 0;
Fouls Per Match – 29;
Penalties – 57%.
Feyenoord vs Sturm Graz: Match Prediction
This is a key match for the prospects of both teams in the Europa League, where neither side can afford to drop points. Both opponents will be set on winning, so an attacking game should be expected. Given defensive issues on both sides, that should lead to goals being scored.
Feyenoord have one of the highest scoring rates among clubs in the lower third of the table. At home in the Europa League the side scored in 8 of their last 9 matches. The only opponent they failed to score against was Aston Villa, one of the top four teams for defensive reliability in the current competition. Meanwhile Feyenoord conceded in all six matches of the main stage, and in four of those they conceded at least twice. It is also worth noting the large number of injured defenders.
Sturm Graz are only marginally better defensively — the single clean sheet could have been avoided had the opponent converted a penalty. On the road in the 2025/26 Europa League Sturm Graz conceded 6 of their 8 goals. Offensively the team looks modest, but they will need to get the maximum from themselves in the upcoming game.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
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* For each team, the starting lineup from its previous match is listed.
