FC Twente vs FC Thun: Team News, Conference League Preview and Prediction
FC Twente begin their UEFA Conference League league-phase campaign on Thursday with a home meeting against Swiss champions FC Thun. Head coach John van den Brom has confirmed that wingers Sondre Ørjasaeter and Filip Thorvaldsen are available again after illness, offering the Dutch side a timely boost as they aim to start their European season with a win.
However, Twente will still be without three players. Goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall, defender Max Bruns and centre-back Stav Lemkin are not ready to feature. Lemkin took part in group training on Wednesday, but the match has arrived too soon for him to return to the squad.
Twente receive a boost in attack
Ørjasaeter and Thorvaldsen both missed last weekend’s match against Fortuna Sittard after falling ill. The Norwegian forwards have since returned to training and recovered sufficiently to be considered for selection against Thun.
Van den Brom welcomed their availability, particularly because both players can offer pace and creativity from wide positions. “It’s good to have them back. Filip and Sondre can make the difference as wide players,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
Their return gives Twente more options in the final third for a fixture that could demand patience as well as attacking ambition. Against a newly crowned Swiss champion, the home side may need to stretch the pitch, move the ball quickly and make the most of opportunities in wide areas. Fresh attacking alternatives could also prove valuable if the match remains tight in its later stages.
A new European campaign after qualifying setbacks
Twente’s route to the Conference League league phase followed a disappointing end to their bid to reach the Europa League. They were eliminated by Ferencváros in qualifying, but responded by overcoming FC DAC 1904 and FK Qarabag to secure a place in the competition proper.
That achievement gives the club another chance to build on its recent progress in Europe. Twente finished fourth in the Eredivisie last season, a result that helped earn them the opportunity to compete in the league phase. The new format places 36 teams in one overall standings table, with each club playing a set of fixtures against different opponents.
For Twente, the immediate priority is to collect points and put themselves in a strong position to advance. Van den Brom acknowledged that every team will be targeting qualification, while stressing that it is too early to predict how the campaign will unfold.
“The aim is to reach the next round. All 36 teams will say that,” he said. “Whether that is realistic is impossible to say at this point, but given the matches we have ahead of us, that is always what you have to aim for. That is what we are going for.”
Van den Brom draws on European experience
The Twente manager has personal experience of a deep Conference League run. In 2023, he guided Lech Poznan to the quarter-finals, an achievement that gives him a clear sense of how the competition can develop as the knockout rounds approach.
Van den Brom said he remembers the tournament as an enjoyable experience and wants his players to appreciate the opportunity as well as focus on results. He also noted that the competition can become increasingly compelling the further a team progresses.
That perspective may be useful for a Twente squad entering a demanding European schedule. Strong starts matter, but consistency across the league phase is just as important. A positive opening result would help build confidence and give the team a platform for the remaining fixtures.
FC Thun present a demanding opening test
Thun arrive in Enschede as Swiss champions and will be keen to show they belong at this level. They currently sit ninth in the 12-team Swiss league, but their domestic position does not erase the achievement of winning the title. Twente will need to respect their opponent while making full use of home advantage.
The opening stages could be especially important. Twente will likely look to establish control, press effectively and prevent Thun from settling into the match. At the same time, the Dutch side must avoid forcing passes or leaving spaces that could invite counterattacks. A balanced approach should help them create chances without losing defensive shape.
With Unnerstall and two defenders unavailable, Twente’s depth at the back will also be under scrutiny. The players selected in defence will need to communicate well, particularly when dealing with Thun’s transitions and set-piece opportunities. Keeping the match organised could be just as significant as producing attacking moments.
FC Twente vs FC Thun prediction
Twente appear to have a strong opportunity to begin their Conference League campaign positively, particularly with Ørjasaeter and Thorvaldsen back in contention and the match taking place at home. Their European qualifying run showed resilience, while Van den Brom’s experience of the competition could help the team approach the occasion with confidence.
Still, Thun should not be underestimated. As champions of Switzerland, they have demonstrated their ability to deliver over a full season, and an opening European fixture can bring pressure for the home side. The key prediction is a competitive match in which Twente’s attacking depth and home support may give them the edge, provided they remain disciplined at the back.
For Twente, Thursday is more than the first game of a new campaign: it is a chance to turn qualification into momentum. A composed performance and a valuable opening result would bring the club closer to its stated goal of reaching the knockout phase.
