Thursday’s Conference League qualifying predictions: Derry to bounce back
- There are 23 Conference League first-round qualifying ties on Thursday
- Recommended bets:
- Back Linfield to win
- Back Derry City to win and both teams to score
Qualifying for the 2024-25 Conference League continues on Thursday with 23 second-leg ties taking place and the likes of Linfield, Shelbourne and Derry City will be in action.
The games kick off between 4pm and 8.15pm and we have two selections covering these fixtures ahead of the qualifying action.
Linfield vs Stjarnan (Thursday, 7.45pm)
The stats
Linfield have won 15 of their last 20 competitive home games.
Stjarnan have lost their last eight European away fixtures, failing to score in seven of those.
The away side have conceded at least three goals in their last four European road trips.
Prediction
Linfield fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Icelandic side Stjarnan in the first leg of their Conference League clash but they should be able to bounce back with a victory in this one.
They will have blown away the cobwebs in that clash and beat Bangor 4-1 in a friendly at the weekend.
Stjarnan had failed to win any of their four games before last week’s win and their away record in continental competition makes for grim reading.
The visitors have lost their last eight road tips in European football and they look likely to fall to another defeat.
Linfield are, by contrast, rock solid on home turf and can get a crucial win at Windsor Park.
Derry City vs FCB Magpies (Thursday, 7.45pm)
The stats
Derry have the best home record in the League of Ireland this season.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side have won their last three fixtures at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Europe.
FCB Magpies have scored in defeat in both of their previous European away games
Prediction
Derry City are locked in the League of Ireland title race with Shelbourne and suffered a big blow in the first leg of their clash with FCB Magpies, losing 2-0 away to the Gibraltan side.
However, they have been rock solid on home soil, winning nine of their 13 games at Brandywell in the league.
They have netted a whopping 29 times in those games so clearly have the attacking ability to overcome this two-goal deficit.
The visitors should not be underestimated, however, and can get on the scoresheet in what may be an enthralling and potentially frenetic second leg.
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