Prediction: Newtown vs HB Torshavn

Verdict: HB Torshavn win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Europa Conference League qualifying adventure on Thursday evening, HB Torshavn will make the trip to Welsh outfit Newtown.

Newtown

Starting with the hosts, heavily outplayed away in the Faroe Islands last week as they were hit with a deserved 1-0 loss on foreign soil, there is no doubt that Newtown face a real task on Thursday evening. Failing to lay down any real marker in their first-leg showdown, the Welsh outfit have continued to show some extended issues over recent times. While Chris Hughes’ men might have managed to snatch another bronze medal finish in last season’s Cymru Premier run, the Reds really limped themselves over the finish line. Signing off their campaign by mustering just a single point from any of their final three domestic showdowns, those issues appear to have been dragged over to the summer. Including that 1-0 loss against HB Torshavn last week, Thursday’s hosts have failed to win any of their previous five matchups across all formats. Likewise, it should also be highlighted, Hughes’ side have managed to bag just a single strike on that five-match winless run.

Team News

Newtown have no fresh injury issues or suspensions to worry about on Thursday evening.

However, suffering that 1-0 first-leg defeat last week, Hughes could be tempted to hand the likes of Zeli Ismail and Lifumpa Mwandwe a start here.

HB Torshavn

As for the visitors, while Newtown might be in the midst of an extended struggle, HB Torshavn should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Dominating on first-leg duties last week as they claimed that deserved 1-0 victory on home soil, Kim Engström’s men should be confident of finishing off the job here. Although the Faroe Islands-based outfit might have endured a downbeat run of form back in May, they have certainly come roaring back over recent weeks. Skyrocketing their way back into the European places, HB have now won six of their last seven matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to May 15th. Enjoying what has become their brightest run since opening up their 2022 Meistaradeildin campaign, Thursday’s guests have also continued to shine at the back. Making the trip to Wales on Thursday night sat in pole position to extend on their Europa Conference League adventure, it should be noted that HB have kept a clean sheet in five of their previous six outings.

Team News

After picking up that 1-0 victory on home soil last week, HB Torshavn could once again go with the same starting XI here.

However, after impressing off the bench last week, 18-year-old Aki Samuelson could be handed a start on Thursday evening.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off in the Faroe Islands last week, HB picked up a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, Thursday’s guests have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six matchups across all formats.
• Newtown have failed to win any of their last five matchups across all formats.
• The Welsh outfit have also managed to bag a single strike on their five-match winless run.
• HB have seen four of their last five contests finish with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Putting in a dominant display last week as they cruised their way to a 1-0 victory on home soil, HB should be confident of finishing off the job here. In the midst of what has become a real purple patch, Thursday’s guests have now won six of their last seven matchups across all formats, a run that stems over the past two months. Likewise, continuing to shine with their recent displays at the back, the Faroe Islands-based outfit should find the mood in their camp at a high when they travel to Wales here. With Newtown now enduring a five-match winless run, it should also be noted that the midweek hosts have really struggled to find any kind of clinical edge in the final third. With HB grabbing that 1-0 win last week, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: HB Torshavn win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Unibet