Verdict: Hibernian win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Luckster
Getting their Europa Conference League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday evening, Hibernian will travel out to Andorra when they meet Inter Escaldes.
Inter Escaldes
Starting with the hosts, extending on their Conference League qualifying campaign as they secured a nail-biting 3-2 aggregate victory against Vikingur last week, Inter Escaldes will be desperate to spring a potential upset here. Storming their way to yet another domestic crown last season, the Andorran champions have certainly continued on an eye-catching flurry over the past 12 months. In fact, continuing on from last season, Otger Canals’ side are unbeaten in each of their last 15 matchups across all competitions. However, knowing that they should face a stern examination when Hibernian arrive in Escaldes-Engordany on Thursday evening, Canals will be calling on his squad to find some recent stability at the back. It should be highlighted, the midweek hosts have failed to muster a single clean sheet from their previous four appearances – their longest defensive rut since back in September.
Team News
Coming off the bench and bagging what was a famous second-leg winner away at Vikingur last week, 36-year-old Sascha Andreu could be handed a full recall on Thursday evening.
Playing a crucial role in Inter Escaldes’ Europa Conference League qualifying adventure, one-time Real Sociedad starlet Ander El Haddadi should once again play a crucial role here.
Hibernian
As for the visitors, signing off their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 friendly victory at home against Dutch outfit Groningen last week, Hibernian will know the importance of picking up a first-leg advantage here. While Lee Johnson’s side might have been disappointed after eventually having to settle for a fifth-place finish among Scotland’s elite last season, the former Sunderland boss has seen his squad make some real summer improvements. Along with opening their pre-season run with an action-packed 4-2 win against Edinburgh City earlier in the month, Hibs won three of their four friendly appearances and the mood in their camp should be at a high. Likewise, signing off the 2022/23 Premiership campaign with just a single defeat from their final seven showdowns, Johnson’s men will be smelling the chance to claim a first-leg advantage on foreign soil.
Team News
Sustaining a pair of pre-season injuries earlier in the month, Hibernian will travel out to Andorra on Thursday night without the duo of Joe Newell and Lewis Miller.
However, all arriving in Edinburgh this summer, the likes of Dylan Levitt, Elie Youan and ex-Reading striker Adam Le Fondre should all make a competitive debut on Thursday night.
Key Factors to Consider
- Signing off their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 win at home against Dutch outfit Groningen last week, Hibernian won three of their four friendly contests this summer.
- Likewise, Thursday’s guests signed off the 2022/23 Premiership campaign with just a single defeat from their final seven showdowns.
- Continuing on from last season, Inter Escaldes are unbeaten in each of their last 15 matchups across all competitions.
- However, Thursday’s hosts have failed to record a clean sheet in their last four competitive appearances.
- On a similar note, Hibernian saw five of their final six Premiership away fixtures last season finish with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Signing off their pre-season run with a lively 2-1 victory against Dutch outfit Groningen last week, Hibernian will know the importance of claiming a crucial first-leg boost here. Getting their Europa Conference League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday evening, Johnson’s men have enjoyed an eye-catching summer flurry. Winning three of their four friendly contests and really finding a clinical edge in the final third, the Scottish giants should find the mood in their camp at a recent high. While Inter Escaldes might have continued to shine in front of their own supporters and could prove a rugged test in midweek, we are backing an away victory for Hibs.
Verdict: Hibernian win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Luckster
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