Thursday's Europa Conference League predictions: Riga and Linfield can gain the advantage
- There are 29 Europa Conference League qualifying ties being played on Thursday
- Recommended bets:
- Riga to beat Vikingur Reykjavik win
- Linfield to beat Vllaznia Shkoder win
There's a host of Europa Conference League qualifying action to look forward to on Thursday evening, with no less than 29 first-leg ties taking place across the continent.
We have picked out two matches that provide good odds for home wins at both Riga FC and Linfield.
Riga FC v Vikingur Reykjavik (Thursday, 6.00pm)
The stats
A side that has previously reached the Champions League group stages, Riga FC are embarking on Europa Conference League qualification this time around, starting with the arrival of Vikingur Reykjavik.
Riga are a team in form after going undefeated (3W, 1D) in their last four games in the Latvian top flight.
It's Riga's home form that has been particularly impressive, as they have not lost a competition game on their own patch since November.
Stadions Skonto will be a tough place to go to for a Vikingur Reykjavik side that have failed to win either of their away games in Europa Conference League qualification.
Drawing away at Welsh side The New Saints last year, Vikingur followed that up with a 4-1 defeat on the road at Lech Poznan.
Prediction
Considering Riga's impressive home record and how Icelandic outfit Vikingur have struggled on their travels, a home win looks to be good value in this one at Stadions Skonto.
Linfield v Vllaznia Shkoder (Thursday, 8.45pm)
The stats
Linfield are in the midst of pre-season but finished their Premiership campaign off strongly in Northern Ireland last term.
Unbeaten in their last 10 league games (6W, 4D), Linfield can be confident they can get something out of this game against Vllaznia Shkoder.
The Albanian side finished down in fourth place in the Superliga last season, winning just three of their last 15 games of the league campaign.
Vllaznia Shkoder are also winless in their last four outings in Europa Conference League qualifying with three defeats and a draw.
Prediction
Linfield are the side in better form going into Thursday's encounter at Windsor Park and have the quality in their ranks to take a lead from Belfast to Albania for the second leg on July 20.
