Starting from the second qualifying round, the Conference League will also be divided into two paths: the Champions Path and the Placed Path. In the former, for example, two teams that have just been relegated from the preliminary rounds of the Champions League will face each other: Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana, who were surprisingly sent home by Kazakh side Kairat Almaty, and Andorran side Inter d’Escaldes, who went out with their heads held high against FCSB, the ‘heirs’ to the old Steaua Bucharest.
It was inevitably a huge disappointment for Olimpia Ljubljana: after reaching the play-offs for the last 16 in last season’s Conference League, more was expected, but Jorge Simao’s men not only failed to win in Kazakhstan, they were actually overwhelmed by their opponents (2-0, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg).
Inter d’Escaldes, on the other hand, had little hope against FCSB, but in the return leg they achieved a remarkable victory, beating the Romanians 2-1 and almost reopening the qualification race.
In our opinion, the Andorrans will also return empty-handed from Slovenia, but it would not be a surprise if they scored at least one goal in a match with at least three goals in total. Also coming from the Champions League are the Welsh side TNS and the Luxembourg side Differdange: The New Saints came off worst after a hard-fought doubleheader against the North Macedonians of Shkendija, who won in extra time (0-0 and 2-1); Differdange had to surrender to the more determined Kosovars of Drita, who won both the first leg (1-0) and the second leg (2-3). The match could prove to be evenly balanced, although the Welsh remain superior in almost every respect and will try to seal qualification in front of their home crowd.
Predictions for the other matches
The Montenegrins of Buducnost are also looking for revenge. Their Champions League campaign came to an abrupt end with a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Armenia against Noah, and their comeback plans were thwarted in the second leg (2-2).
Things should be different in the first of two matches against Moldovan side Milsami, who lost out to Finnish side KuPS (1-0 and 0-0) in the Champions League: the home side are favorites in the match in Podgorica.
The Scandinavians, coming off a shock start at home (3-0 against Brondby), are likely to achieve a comfortable victory against the modest Icelandic side Akureyri, also making their debut in the competition. Finally, in Azerbaijan, Zira could manage to hold off the more highly rated Hajduk Split, coached by Gennaro Gattuso last season. The total number of goals is likely to be less than three.
Conference League: possible winners
Olimpija Ljubljana (in Olimpija Ljubljana-Inter Club d’Escaldes)
TNS (in TNS-Differdange)
Buducnost (in Buducnost-Milsami)
Matches with at least three goals in total
Silkeborg-Akureyri
Olimpija Ljubljana-Inter Club d’Escaldes
Conference League: the match with less than three goals in total
Zira-Hajduk Split
Odds comparison
TNS victory is priced at 1.77 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.75 on Snai. The “Over 2.5” bet in Olimpia Lubiana-Inter d’Escaldes is priced at 1.50 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.53 on Snai.
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