Prediction: Riga FC vs Derry City

Prediction: Riga FC to win 2-1

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Riga FC and Derry City will face each other in the second leg of the Europa Conference League first qualifying round this week. The match will be held at Skonto Stadions in Riga and is scheduled to kick off off at 6pm UK time on Thursday evening .

Riga FC

Riga FC finished fourth in the 2021 Latvian Higher League with 50 points from 28 matches, as many as 16 points behind winners RFS. Therefore, Sandro Perkovic’s side qualified for the 2022-23 Europa Conference League first qualifying round.

The Latvian club are in a great position to progress to the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League. Riga FC won the first leg of the tie at the Brandywell Stadium in Derry, Northern Ireland 2-0. Gabriel Ramos and Oleksandr Filippov scored the goals for Riga FC. The League of Ireland Premier Division club also had Matty Smith sent off in the 66th minute.

Riga FC are third in the 2022 Latvian Higher League table at the moment with 40 points from 19 matches, as many as 10 points behind leaders Valmiera.

Team News:

Gabriel Ramos and Oleksandr Filippov are likely to start for Riga FC.

Derry City

Derry City finished fourth in the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division with 54 points from 36 matches, as many as 24 points behind champions Shamrock Rovers. That saw them quality for the 2022-23 Europa Conference League first qualifying round.

The League of Ireland Premier Division club are on the backfoot already in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League first qualifying round. That’s because Ruaidhrí Higgins’s side lost the first leg at the Brandywell Stadium in Derry, Northern Ireland 2-0. Gabriel Ramos and Oleksandr Filippov scored the goals for Riga FC. The League of Ireland Premier Division club also had Matty Smith sent off in the 66th minute.

Derry City are third in the 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division table at the moment with 40 points from 22 matches, as many as 11 points behind leaders and defending champions Shamrock Rovers.

Team News:

Matty Smith is suspended after his red card picked up in the first leg. New signing Ryan Graydon could replace him in the team.

Key Factors to Consider

• Riga FC have won 2 of their last 5 matches.
• Riga FC have lost 2 of their last 5 matches.
• Derry City have drawn their last 2 games.
• Derry City have won 2 of their last 5 games.
• Riga FC have drawn one of their last 5 matches.

Conclusion

Derry City will feel that they can get a result in Latvia, as overhauling a 2-0 deficit is very much possible. However, Riga FC are at home for the second leg, and they will make sure that they get the job done this week.

Prediction: Riga FC to win 2-1

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: Betfair