Conference League, the usual round-up of Thursday matches is on the agenda today. Besiktas and Bodo/Glimt are also on the pitch: predictions.
The second qualifying round of the Conference League is the one involving the most teams, no less than 106. Fifty-three games spread over three days. The ‘big binge’, of course, is scheduled for Thursday, when almost all the clubs in the so-called ‘placings’ bracket, i.e. those teams who did not win their league but qualified for the preliminaries through other placings, will take the field.
Among them is Bodo/Glimt, who last year ceded the sceptre of Norway to rivals Molde. This time, however, the yellow-and-whites are off to a flying start, and at the halfway mark they can already boast an important advantage over their rivals. The team coached by Kjetil Knudsen, who two seasons ago defeated Roma 6-1 in this competition, should start their adventure with a victory against the Czech Bohemians, which is likely to be prolific. Suddenly found themselves in the Conference League again, Ferencvaros, relegated after losing the Champions League preliminary match against Klaksvik’s Faroese side in a resounding manner, losing 3-0 in the return match. The Magyars, having learned their lesson, will not take the same risk against the Irish Shamrock Rovers, trying to mortgage the passage to the round already in Hungary. Viktoria Plzen, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Paok Thessaloniki are also in with a chance as they should get the better of Drita, Petrocub and Beitar Jerusalem, respectively, thanks to the home factor.
The predictions for the other matches
Besiktas, third in the last Turkish league, are also set to make their Conference League debut. The Bianconeri, coached by doyen Senol Gunes, have not made the same market as the other two teams from Istanbul but should impose themselves without problems on KF Tirana.
Senol Gunes
A possible loose cannon could be the Armenians of Alashkert, who scrambled Arsenal Tivat (1-6) in the return leg of the first round. They are not favourites against the Hungarians from Debreceni, but in front of their own public they should avoid defeat. Omonia Nicosia and Levski Sofia, who face Qabala and Shkupi respectively, are likely to pick up a positive away result. Lucerne, Haverfordwest and Panevezys will not be able to limit the damage against Djurgarden, Torshavn, and Hapoel Beer Sheva. Adana Demirspor, Vincenzo Montella’s former team, now coached by Patrick Kluivert, should score at least one goal against the better-ranked Cluj, led by Italian Andrea Mandorlini. Also an eventful match between Club Brugge and Aarhus.
Conference League: likely winners
- Alashkert or draw (in Alashkert-Debreceni, 5pm)
- Omonia Nicosia or draw (in Qabala-Omonia Nicosia, 18:00)
- Djurgarden (in Djurgarden-Lucerne, 19:00)
- B36 Torshavn (in B36 Torshavn-Haverfordwest, 20:00)
- Hapoel Beer Sheva (in Hapoel Beer Sheva-Panevezys, 20:00)
- Levski Sofia or draw (in Shkupi-Levski Sofia, 21:00)
