Prediction: Dundalk FC to win 2-0
Best Odds: 4/1
Dundalk FC and FC Bruno’s Magpies will lock horns with each other in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifying First Round tie this week. The match between the club from the League of Ireland Premier Division and the team from the Gibraltar Football League will be held at Oriel Park in Dundalk and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Thursday. The first leg of the tie was played at Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar. It ended in a goalless draw.
Dundalk FC
Dundalk FC are one of the most well-known clubs in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. They are a major club in the League of Ireland Premier Division. The Railwaymen have won the League of Ireland Premier Division as many as 14 times, the latest of which came in 2019. They have also clinched the FAI Cup 12 times in their history.
The Lilywhites finished third in the 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division. They picked up 66 points from 36 matches, as many points as Derry City, who ended up second. Shamrock Rovers won the title with 79 points from 36 games.
Dundalk FC are fifth in the 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division table at the moment with 39 points from 25 matches, as many as eight points behind leaders and defending champions Shamrock Rovers. They will fancy their chances of going all the way to the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League next season. Having drawn the first leg on the road, Dundalk FC will be confident of winning the second leg at home this week.
Team News:
Shepperd will be in goal for Dundalk FC. Boyle, Leahy and Annesley will start for the home side, and so should Hoban, Kelly and O’Kane. Davies and Sloggett are likely to be included in the Dundalk FC starting lineup as well.
FC Bruno’s Magpies
FC Bruno’s Magpies are a modest club that ply their trade in the Gibraltar Football League. The Magpies do not tend to win the major trophies in Gibraltar, and their home ground, the Victoria Stadium, has a capacity of 5000.
Alfonso Cortijo’s side finished third in 2022–23 Gibraltar Football League table. FC Bruno’s Magpies picked up 37 points from 20 matches. They ended up seven points behind second-placed Europa and as many as 15 points behind eventual winners Lincoln Red Imps.
FC Bruno’s Magpies had their best league campaign last season, and now they have the chance to play in the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League. However, it is hard to see them go all the way. In fact, after playing out a goalless draw with Dundalk FC at home in the first leg, they are going to find it extremely tough to get past the First Qualifying Round itself.
Team News:
Hankins will be in goal for FC Bruno’s Magpies. Chipolina, Ruben Diaz and Olmo Gonzalez will be in defence. Giraldez and Storer will be included in the starting lineup as well, and so should Andre dos Santos and Carlos Garcia.
Key Factors to Consider
- Dundalk FC had 67% of the possession in the first leg.
- Dundalk FC had 4 shots on target in the first leg.
- In the first leg, FC Bruno’s Magpies had 33% of the possession.
- In the first leg, FC Bruno’s Magpies had 2 shots on target.
- In the first leg, FC Bruno’s Magpies committed 19 shots.
Conclusion
Dundalk FC are a more well-known club than FC Bruno’s Magpies and also have more experience at this stage of European competitions. Having played out a goalless draw in the first leg, the League of Ireland Premier Division side will be confident of getting the job done in the second leg in front of their own fans. It is hard to see anything but a win for Dundalk FC on Thursday.
Prediction: Dundalk FC to win 2-0
Best Odds: 4/1
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