HB Torshavn will be targeting a first leg advantage when they host Derry City in their Europa Conference League first round qualifier. While a closely fought encounter is expected here, Torshavn have done some of their best work at home lately and should have the edge on Thursday.
HB Torshavn are already in the middle of their domestic campaign and do not head into Thursday’s clash in the best form. They have been hampered by defensive problems and are winless in their last three matches, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ki Klaksvik in their previous league fixture.
The Faroe Islands side have never progressed beyond the qualifying rounds of any European competitions having made regular appearances in all three tournaments. They fell at this stage last season, losing on penalties to Welsh side Newtown after a 2-2 aggregate scoreline.
The good news for HB Torshavn is that the have been on the road in recent weeks and return to Torsvollur, where they have won their last three matches. Jakup Joenson’s men have also impressed at home on the continent, winning their last three Europa Conference League matches in front of their fans.
Derry City are also in the middle of their domestic campaign and travel to Faroe Islands off the back of a 2-0 victory over Sligo Rovers in a League of Ireland fixture. Jamie McGonigle struck the opener in on the half-hour mark with William Patching netting the winner deep into injury time.
Like Torshavn, Derry City are also seeking their first appearance in the group phase of any European competition. Ruaidhri Higgins’ men were beaten home and away by Riga FC for a 4-0 aggregate defeat at this stage of last season’s Conference League.
While Derry City will be heading into Thursday’s clash off the back of a win, their recent form has been a bit erratic with just two wins in their last eight matches across all competitions. They are also winless in their last four away matches, suffering three defeats in that run.
How the bookies view it
The bookies are expecting a closely fought encounter with a win for Torshavn priced at 13/8 by Paddy Power while Unibet is offering odds of 9/5 for a Derry City win. A draw is set at odds of 12/5 by bet365.
Head to head
This will be the first ever meeting between HB Torshavn and Derry City.
Players to watch
Mikkel Dahl is the leading scorer for HB Torshavn with 10 goals this season and could be the one to watch on Thursday. The forward often partners in attack with Mads Borchers and both men could combine to produce over 1.5 goals for the hosts at 8/15 with BoyleSports.
Derry City also have the quality to hold their own going forward with Jamie McGonigle and Cian Kavanagh often featuring in attack. With Torshavn not particularly convincing at the back, both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals for the visitors at 2/5 with William Hill.
Anything else catch the eye?
HB Torshavn and Derry City have been unconvincing at the back lately and both teams can be backed to score at 10/11 with bet365. There were over 2.5 goals in Derry’s previous fixture and a repeat is priced at 5/4 with Paddy Power while over 3.5 goals is valued at 3/1 by Unibet.
Torshavn have opened the scoring in their last three home matches and can be tipped to grab the first goal on Thursday at 21/20 with BoyleSports.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between HB Torshavn and Derry City will be played on Jul 13, 2023 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best HB Torshavn vs Derry City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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