Crusaders vs Caernarfon Town predictions: Second qualifying round beckons for Town

Aidan Perkins

Spotlight

The early qualification rounds are under way in the UEFA Conference League

- Caernarfon won first leg 2-0 at home
- Crusaders finished fourth in Northern Ireland last season
- Recommended bet: Tie or Caernarfon Double Chance

Welsh outfit Caernarfon Town must protect a 2-0 first-leg lead when they go to Northern Irish side Crusaders in their UEFA Conference League first-round qualifier on Wednesday.

Town's first-ever foray into European football started superbly with last week's deserved 2-0 first-leg victory and now the League of Wales side will be eyeing a place in the second qualifying round.

Team news

Summer signing Billy Vance could be handed a start for the hosts after coming off the bench in the first leg.

Other recent arrivals Jordan Stewart, Jacob Blaney and Kieran Offord are expected to keep their places in the line-up, while James Teelan is among the players pushing for a recall should boss Declan Caddell consider making changes.

Caernarfon are unlikely to make many alterations to their XI after winning the first leg, so summer signings Matty Jones, Ryan Sears and Paulo Mendes should all start.

The stats

The first leg was the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

Caernarfon deserved their first-leg win as they had more shots (six compared to three) and shots on target (four to one) than Crusaders in Wales.

Crusaders have played a total of 54 matches in Europe down the years, winning just nine of them.

Crusaders have never got past the second qualifying round in any of the European competitions in the modern era.

Prediction

Caernarfon were considered underdogs in the tie before last week's first leg due to the fact they were making their European bow up against a Crusaders outfit who are regulars in the early stages of qualifying.

However, the Welsh side recorded a 2-0 victory to set up the second leg nicely and even though they are likely to be tested in Belfast, Town can hold firm and come away with at least a draw.

Caernarfon, who finished fifth in the regular season in the League Of Wales before winning the play-offs to secure a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, had only played one friendly in the build-up to the first leg but looked good at home.

Goals from Morgan Owen and Zack Clarke gave them the victory last week and they will be determined to defend their lead on Wednesday.

Crusaders played another friendly after the defeat, seeing off Comber Rec 4-1 over the weekend, and they will need a similar result to overturn the tie.

It is likely to be a closely-fought affair, but the visitors can hold firm and progress overall.

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