Prediction: Magpies vs Dundalk

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Getting their European Conference League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday evening, Dundalk will travel out to Gibraltar when they meet the Magpies.

Magpies

Starting with the hosts, while the Magpies might have been crowned Gibraltar Cup champions back in April following a nail-biting penalties victory against Lincoln, Alfonso Cortijo’s side struggled to find much stability at the back end of the 2023 campaign. Failing to pick up any momentum last week as they signed off their pre-season preparations with a routine 3-0 drumming against Championship outfit Preston, the one-time Malaga coach saw his side win just a pair of their final six Premier Division showdowns back in April. Left disappointed after having to settle for another bronze medal finish last season, the Magpies will be more than aware that they face a stern challenge in midweek. Crashing out of the Conference League qualifiers last year following a 3-1 second-leg defeat at the hands of Crusaders, Cortijo’s men are rightfully seen as an underdog pick here.

Team News

Impressing last season after making the move to Gibraltar and notching five strikes in just his eight Premier Division appearances, former Birmingham schoolboy Jack Storer should spearhead the Magpies’ charge on Thursday evening.

Gibraltar international shot-stopper Jaylan Hankins will start between the sticks here. Finding the net in the Gibraltar Cup final against Lincoln back in April, one-time Sunderland starlet Dan Bent will start in the middle of the park in midweek.

Dundalk

As for the visitors, last seen suffering a downbeat second-half collapse away at Bohemians as they eventually slumped to a 3-2 defeat, Dundalk will certainly be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous six domestic appearances, the Irish giants will feel that they have been handed a favourable draw on Thursday evening. Signing off June with a stellar 2-0 victory against reigning Irish champions Shamrock Rovers, Stephen O’Donnell’s men will now be hoping to find some much-needed stability at the back. It should be highlighted, on a run that stems all the way back to May 6th, the Lilywhites have mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 11 showdowns across all competitions. Likewise, including that action-packed 3-2 loss against the Bohs last time out, Dundalk have also lost four of their last six contests away from Oriel Park.

Team News

Continuing on what has been a free-scoring run on either side of June’s international break and notching 10 Premier Division strikes this season, 31-year-old Patrick Hoban will certainly spearhead Dundalk’s attack on Thursday evening.

Gibraltar international defender Louie Annesley will make a return to his home country in midweek and should once again be partnered with Hayden Muller at the heart of O’Donnel’s defence. 25-year-old Darragh Leahy will be hoping to keep his spot at right-back here.

Key Factors to Consider

• Despite getting hit with an action-packed 3-2 loss away at Bohemians last time out, that is the only domestic defeat that Dundalk have suffered from their previous six domestic appearances.
• However, the Lilywhites have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions.
• The Magpies only signed off their domestic campaign back in April with a pair of wins from their final six Premier Division matchups.
• Likewise, Thursday’s hosts also managed to win just one of their final five domestic showdowns in front of their own supporters.
• Dundalk have seen four of their previous five appearances away from Oriel Park finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Watching their five-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end thanks to an action-packed 3-2 loss away at Bohemians last week, Dundalk will be desperate to find a crucial immediate boost here. With many feeling that the Lilywhites have been handed a favourable Conference League draw this summer, Thursday’s guests will know the importance of picking up a first-leg advantage here. However, suffering four defeats from their previous six appearances away from Oriel Park, the midweek guests will be desperate to avoid a potential banana skin on foreign soil. It should be noted, with Dundalk mustering just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 11 domestic showdowns across all competitions, we are backing what could be an enjoyable affair from Gibraltar.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet