Prediction: Cliftonville vs Dun Streda

Verdict: Dun Streda win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Sat in pole position to extend on their Europa Conference League adventure on Thursday night, Dun Streda will make the trip to Cliftonville.

Cliftonville

Starting with the hosts, hit with a 2-1 first-leg defeat when they made the trip to Slovakia last week, Cliftonville will be more than aware that they face a huge task on Thursday night. While the Northern Irish outfit might have managed to clinch another silver medal finish while on domestic duties last season, Paddy McLaughlin’s men have really endured a tricky summer. Suffering four straight friendly defeats prior to their trip out to Slovakia last week, the Reds have now lost each of their last five contests across all formats. Likewise, it should also be noted, continuing on from last season, Cliftonville have managed to bag just a pair of victories from any of their previous 10 outings, a run that stems all the way back to April 5th. Facing what is a real uphill struggle if they’re to extend on their European adventure here, Thursday’s hosts have also shown come extended issues on home soil. Including a 2-1 loss against Crusaders on Irish Cup duties back in April, the Reds have failed to win any of their last five matchups at the Solitude.

Team News

Bagging Cliftonville’s strike while away in Slovakia last week, 23-year-old Ronan Hale should spearhead McLaughlin’s charge here.

Potentially looking to make some changes on Thursday, the duo of Rory Hale and Chris Curran could be in line for a full recall.

Dun Streda

As for the visitors, putting in what was an impressive display while on home soil last week as they picked up a first-leg 2-1 victory, Dun Streda should be confident of finishing off the job here. Just about managing to drag themselves to another European finish last season as they clinched a fourth-place finish in Slovakia’s top-flight, Head Coach Adrián Guľa should find the mood in his camp at a high. While the Super Liga outfit might have endured a mild wobble in the middle of May, they do appear to have put those issues behind them. Signing off their domestic season run with back-to-back 4-3 and 2-1 victories against Liptovský Mikuláš and Trenčín, Thursday’s guests have now lost just one of their last six matchups across all formats. However, while Dun Streda might sit in pole position to extend on their Conference League adventure here, they have shown some extended issues on the road. It should be noted, Guľa’s men have remarkably failed to win any of their last 10 contests away from the MOL Aréna.

Team News

Shown a straight red card in the first-leg last week after coming off the bench, Dun Streda will be unable to call upon 21-year-old Brahim Moumou here.

However, the Slovakian outfit could once again name the same starting XI on Thursday.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off in Slovakia last week, Dun Streda picked up a 2-1 victory on home soil.
• Including that 2-1 loss last week, Cliftonville have lost each of their last five matchups across all formats.
• Dun Streda have lost just one of their last six matchups across all formats.
• However, Thursday’s guests have remarkably failed to win any of their previous contests away from the MOL Aréna.
• Cliftonville have failed to win any of their last five matchups on home soil, shipping over 1.5 goals in four of those defeats.

Conclusion

Making the trip out to Northern Ireland on Thursday night holding a 2-1 advantage, Dun Streda should be confident of finishing off the job here. With Cliftonville in the midst of what has become a huge struggle over the summer, the Reds have now lost each of their last five matchups across all formats. Likewise, while the midweek guests might have continued to show some rather glaring issues on their travels, McLaughlin’s side have not fared any better at the Solitude. Now failing to win any of their last five straight outings in front of their own supporters, Cliftonville should face a tough test here. Facing an uphill battle after their 2-1 loss away in Slovakia last week, we’re backing Dun Streda to extend on their European adventure.

Verdict: Dun Streda win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet