Conference League, the first qualifying round gets underway. Many unknown teams in the field: news and predictions.
The second edition of the Conference League, the third-largest international competition to debut only two seasons ago, was won by West Ham.
A Bowen goal in the final in Prague gave the Hammers an international trophy they had been waiting decades for. Fiorentina, who had hoped to succeed Roma in the roll of honour, were mocked: a defensive lapse was fatal just when the match seemed to be going into extra time. This time it should be Juventus who represent Italy in the Conference League. We use the conditional because there could still be a sanction from Uefa for the Bianconeri, who would therefore be excluded in favour of Fiorentina, who finished eighth in the last championship. In any case, Massimiliano Allegri’s team would enter the game starting from the play-offs. Three qualifying rounds will take place first, starting today with the first, in which 60 mostly unknown clubs are taking part.
The match forecast for Thursday 13 July
Last year RFS Riga were in the Viola’s group and, surprisingly, managed to snatch a resounding draw in the opener. The Latvians will make their debut at home to Makedonija Gjorce Petrov and should make use of their greater international experience.
Zilina, Alashkert and Riga FC are likely to debut with a success in their respective engagements with Levadia Tallinn, Arsenal Tivat and Vikingur. Dinamo Batumi, who lead the Georgian league table, will also most likely avoid defeat: in Tirana, the former team of Napoli talent Kvaratskhelia should at least avoid defeat. Inter Club d’Escaldes-Vikingur Gota, Pyunik Yerevan-Narva Trans, Dukagjini-Europa, Akureyri-Connah’s Quay and Shkendija-Haverfordwest will not be goal-poor matches: more than two will be scored in total. At least one goal per side, finally, in Bruno’s Magpies-Dundalk, Hegelmann-Shkupi and HB Torshavn-Derry City.
Conference League: likely winners
- RFS Riga (in Makedonija Gjorce Petrov-RFS Riga, 17:30)
- Zilina (in Zilina-Levadia Tallinn, 17:30)
- Alashkert (on Alashkert-Arsenal Tivat, 18:00)
- Riga FC (in Riga FC-Vikingur Reykjavik, 19:00)
- Dinamo Batumi or draw (in Tirana-Dinamo Batumi, 20:00)