Conference League - Aberdeen v Strasbourg

Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Date: Thursday, 11 December Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

Manager Jimmy Thelin says Aberdeen "believe we can win the game" as they look to keep alive their hopes of Conference League progress when they host Strasbourg on Thursday.

The Dons have taken just two points from their opening four games and need to win their remaining two matches – against the French side then Sparta Prague next week - to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.

"They are a technical team, a fast, explosive team," Thelin said. "The best way to be better is to play against really good opponents and you are going to take a lot of steps every time.

"But the game is about winning, so we have to do our things really well and keep believing we can win the game."

Strasbourg are not in the best of form domestically, dropping to eighth place in Ligue 1 after one win in their last five games.

But Liam Rosenior's team have lived up to their billing among the Conference League favourites and lie joint top after three wins and a draw, with Thelin recognising they are "a good team".

Aberdeen are 33rd out of the 36 teams in the competition, but their manager says they "can dream big" after going unbeaten in six games.

"That is what I think the players have grown into a little bit - sometimes the game maybe isn't exactly what we want, but they can stay in the game and still get the chance to win the game," he said. "The team is growing.

"We have played against really good opponents who are doing well in the league and who have done well in the league phase now. There have been some tough challenges."

Former Hull City defender and manager Rosenior revealed "this is a big thing for me" to bring his side to a stadium where "my hero in life", Sir Alex Ferguson, led Aberdeen to domestic and European glory.

"I was Manchester United fan from birth, so I walk up the stairs and I see all of the pictures at this stadium, it gives me goosebumps to be a manager here myself, so it is a big game for me just in terms of that," he said of the former Old Trafford boss.

Describing Aberdeen as "a huge club historically", Rosenior also pointed out that, being English, he knows about a number of the hosts' players and added: "In terms of on the pitch, they are very structured.

"I love the way Jimmy tries to get the team to play. They play with energy, they try to play positive attacking football."

Aberdeen will be minus defenders Kirsters Tobers and Gavin Molloy through injury.

Strasbourg winger Samuel Amo-Ameyaw misses out, while striker and captain Emmanuel Emegha was left out of the squad that lost to Toulouse due to disciplinary issues but is expected to return.

Winger Abdoul Ouattara is unlikely to be back from a hamstring injury and midfielder Maxi Oyedele remains out.

Victory over Crystal Palace last time out means Strasbourg are second in the Conference League table, behind Samsunspor on goal difference, and among the favourites to win the tournament.

Rosenior's side are effectively through after garnering 10 points but will have eyes on getting the extra win that would all but secure a top-eight berth and place directly into the last 16.

The 41-year-old Englishman is regarded as one of European football's hottest coaching prospects and leads the youngest squad in the continent's major leagues with an average age of 21.

The takeover by Chelsea's owners BlueCo in 2023 has given the French club access to some of the world's best young talent, while also causing eternal angst among some fans.

Ultras groups regularly protest their club has become a feeder operation for Chelsea, something Strasbourg deny.

However, there are undoubtedly close ties between the pair.

Seven of the players in their European squad have either come from Chelsea on loan or permanently, or in the case of captain Emegha, are heading to Stamford Bridge next season.

Ben Chilwell, Mamadou Sarr and goalkeeper Mike Penders are other faces to arrive from west London.

Elswhere, there are other recognisable players, including Paraguay midfielder Julio Enciso, who had a promising but injury-hit spell at Brighton & Hove Albion, while Guela Doue, brother of Paris Saint-Germain's Desire, is a talented right-back.

Former Rangers and Scotland defender David Weir is also the club's sporting director.

Strasbourg forward Joaquin Panichelli: "I know Scottish football is tough, because Scottish teams have always had a difficult style to play against. It's a very physical style.

"But, as I always say, we work to face challenges like these, not only in the league or in the Coupe de France, but also in this competition. I think we have the tools to beat them."