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Europa Conference League Best Bets: Thursday, 20th July
Battle recommences in the Europa Conference League. Last week’s first legs are in the history books, and now it’s all about these lesser-ranked teams progressing to the second qualifying round.
We take a look at three ties that are still in the balance and bring you our bettingexpert’s best bets.
In this article:
- FC Santa Coloma vs Penybont Preview & Best Bet
- Derry City vs HB Torshavn Preview & Best Bet
- Crusaders vs Haka Preview & Best Bet
FC Santa Coloma vs Penybont Preview
UEFA, Europa Conference League, Thursday, July 20th, 16:00 (UK)
An entertaining first leg at Brewery Field ended all square last week, meaning it is all to play for here in Andorra.
Penybont’s Alex Harris would have been disappointed to let in Mario Mourelo’s first-half free-kick. Veteran striker Chris Venables was on hand to spare his keeper’s blushes, getting on the end of a knockdown to flick home an equaliser on his debut.
The draw in their first-ever European fixture certainly gives the Welsh side hope of progressing to the next round. Especially considering the first leg was played on neutral territory and not at their SDM Glass Stadium home due to UEFA requirements.
With the new season yet to start in both the Andorran Primera Divisió and the Cymru Premier, these sides have had a whole week of preparation for this huge clash. Coloma will be looking to use their home advantage to repeat their achievement of 2021/22 when they made it to the second qualifying round of this competition.
FC Santa Coloma vs Penybont Best Bet
The first leg saw a very even contest, and there is no reason to expect anything different here. Last week saw 22 attempts at goal; ten for Penybont, of which seven were on target and 12 for Coloma, with six on goal.
Both sides will fancy their chances with a similarly high-tempo battle expected. As a result, we should see both teams on the scoresheet again.
- Selection: Yes on Both Teams to Score
- Best Odds: 1.91 (bet365)
- Stakes: 8/10
More FC Santa Coloma vs Penybont Tips
Derry City vs HB Torshavn Preview
UEFA, Europa Conference League, Thursday, July 20th, 19:45 (UK)
Derry City have given themselves a great opportunity of progressing in a European tie for the first time since a 9-0 aggregate win over Aberystwyth in 2014. A first leg of few chances in the Faroe Islands ended goalless. It’s a result which would have seen the visitors as the happier of the two sides.
Neither side has been in action domestically since the game at Tórsvøllur last week. The Candystripes sit 3rd in the Irish Premier Division, occupying the final Europa Conference League qualifying place, four points off leaders Shamrock with an identical gap back to 4th placed Bohemians.
Torshavn finds themselves 3rd in the Faroese top-flight. However, they’re a distant 13 points adrift of leaders Klaksvik who are yet to drop a point but hold a healthy cushion of eight points to Vikingur, one place below them.
Jákup Martin Joensen’s side are winless in four games. They’ve lost their last two league matches, plus drawing against Derry and 07 Vestur Sorvagur in a Faroe Islands Cup semi-final.
Derry City vs HB Torshavn Best Bet
This promises to be another tight contest. Despite their poor form, HB Torshavn are generally competitive at this level. They have featured in this competition each season since its inaugural edition in 2021-22, making it to the third qualifying round last term.
Derry proved their resilience last week with another clean sheet. Goalkeeper Brian Maher already has a league-high 11 to his name from 25 fixtures, in addition to shutting Shamrock out in the Super Cup season curtain raiser.
With prices reflective of a low-scoring battle combining No on Both teams to score with under 2.5 goals gives us a nice angle. It’s a scenario that landed in each of Derry’s last three Conference League qualifiers and in four of HB’s last six in this competition.
- Selection: No on Both teams to score AND under 2.5 goals
- Best Odds: 1.91 (bet365)
- Stakes: 8/10
More Derry City vs HB Torshavn Tips
Crusaders vs Haka Preview
UEFA, Europa Conference League, Thursday, July 20th, 20:00 (UK)
It’s all to play for following an entertaining first leg between these two sides in Finland last week. Jordan Forsythe gave Crusaders the lead, but the hosts hit back with two goals in four minutes by Logan Rogerson and Tiemoko Fofana.
However, the tie swung back in Crues’ favour on 66 minutes when Janne-Pekka Laine was sent for an early bath following a second yellow card. Ross Clarke curled a trademark free-kick home two minutes later to bring the Northern Irish side level.
Although Stephen Baxter’s side couldn’t find a winner against ten men, the draw means they go into this tie at Seaview as favourites to progress to the next qualifying round.
The Sports Direct Premiership doesn’t get underway until next month. However, the Crusaders have sharpened up for this European campaign by lifting the Charity Shield following a 2-0 defeat of last season’s league champions, Larne. They’ve also played two friendlies on either side of the first leg in Finland. The most recent was a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Rangers’ Under-21 side at the weekend.
Teemu Tainio’s visitors are in an awful run of form, however. Those in the away dressing room sit one off the foot of the Veikkausliiga, having picked up two league wins so far this term from their 15 games. Last week’s draw extended their run without a win to 11 games in all competitions.
Crusaders vs Haka Best Bet
Six of the Crusaders’ last eight fixtures have featured at least three goals, with four of Haka’s previous five league road trips seeing over 2.5 goals.
Both sides will view this tie as very winnable, and seeing it follow a similar pattern to the first leg would not be a surprise. Perhaps getting goals on our side once more is the sensible option with another cracker on the cards.
- Selection: Over 2.5 total goals
- Best Odds: 2.00 (bet365)
- Stakes: 8/10
Odds via bet365 as at 22:50 July 18th 2023. Odds may now differ.
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