Prediction: The New Saints to win 2-1
Best Odds: 6/1
Bookmaker: Betfair
The New Saints and Linfield will face each other at Park Hall in Oswestry in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round. It is the first leg of the tie and is scheduled to pick off at 7:45pm UK time.
The New Saints
The New Saints have entered the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds courtesy of their triumph in Cymru Premier last season. The Saints are one of the seeded teams in the first qualifying round and will head into the first leg of the tie against Linfield with confidence.
The Welsh club have never made it through to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, but they did end up in the third qualifying round in 2010-11. That is their best ever finish in Europe’s premier club competition, and maybe they will do better this time around.
The first leg will be key in the tie. A win, even a narrow one, for The New Saints could help the home team qualify.
Team News:
New signings, goalkeeper Daniel Atherton, centre-back Josh Pask and right-winger Joshua Daniels all are available for the match. There are no injury doubts or suspension worries for The New Saints.
Linfield
Linfield are a giant in the Irish League Championship and will head into the tie against The New Saints high on confidence. Linfield have won the league title as many as 56 times and have won the NIFL Premiership for the last four seasons.
However, Linfield have not been a success in Europe. The club from Northern Ireland have not played in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in history and have yet to progress beyond the second qualifying round in the competition.
Linfield cannot afford to lose the first leg even though it is away from home if they are to progress further in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Team News:
New signings Chris McKee, Robbie McDaid, Eetu Vertainen, Danny Finlayson and Joel Cooper all are available. There are no injury doubts or suspension worries for Linfield.
Key Factors to Consider
- The New Saints and Linfield have not played before in a competitive game.
- The New Saints have won their last 4 competitive games.
- The New Saints have lost 1 of their last 5 competitive games.
- Linfield have not won any of their last 5 competitive matches.
- Linfield have lost 3 of their last 5 competitive matches.
Conclusion
The New Saints are at home and have a better record in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. It is likely that the match on Tuesday evening will end in a home win.
Prediction: The New Saints to win 2-1
Best Odds: 6/1
Bookmaker: Betfair
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