Hibernian vs Inter Club d'Escaldes
UEFA Europa League Conference, KO: 19:15 Jul 6, 2023, Easter Road
HIBS have a chance of rescuing their disastrous entry into the new season last week when Andorran minnows Inter Club d'Escaldes visit the capital in the second leg of the Europa Conference League second qualifying round.
Scottish football has seen more of its fair share of European humiliations over the years, but last week's 2-1 pumping in the Pyrenees has to be right up there.
Hibs turned in a disgraceful performance and were very lucky that Joe Newell's late free kick has turned the tie in their favour now after trailing by two goals.
The Easter Road side looked leggy and lethargic in Andorra and could have lost by more. When managers and their supporters start exchanging ‘views', which happened after the first leg, then it usually only ends one way and there's no doubt Lee Johnson would struggle to survive an exit here.
However, it could be an entirely different second leg and Inter Club d'Escaldes looked like they were exhausted at the end of the first leg. Hibs' superior fitness really should tell on Thursday.
And Hibs will be hugely boosted by the return of talisman Martin Boyle. Out for a long time with an ACL injury, the Australian international will be back. When he plays, Hibs play.
How the bookies view it
Despite that first leg disaster, Hibs are overwhelming favourites here at 1/5 with Boylesports. The Andorrans can be backed at 12/1 with William Hill and the draw is 6/1 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
Just that one game last week in which the home side stunned the Scots with that 2-1 win after racing to a two-goal lead.
Players to watch
As stated, the return of Martin Boyle – who was an unused sub last week after being taken along as a ‘cheerleader' according to Johnson – should make a huge difference. Last season he scored 16 goals up until November.
Far travelled Ivory Coast winger Jean Luc Assoubre scored the second goal last week after a mistake from Hibs keeper David Marshall. Goalscorer prices should be up on the day.
Anything else catch the eye?
Hibs surely should get their revenge from last week on a pitch that will suit them compared to last week's cramped conditions.
Given the criticism they received, they should be choking up at the bit to finish off Inter Club here and evens at Boylesport for them to win to nil looks a solid shout.
The same firm is offering 6/4 for Hibs to win minus two goals of a start on the handicap and you would suspect Hibs will go all out to try and prove a point here.
Also keep an eye on the corners market when they come up. Hibs won seven corners last week playing as badly as they did in Andorra and you would expect them to try and stretch Inter Club on the wings on Thursday.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Hibernian and Inter Club d'Escaldes will be played on Jul 6, 2023 and kick off at 19:15. Check below for our tipsters best Hibernian vs Inter Club d'Escaldes prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
This 2nd leg game is to be played on AUGUST 3rd.
How on earth you come up with July 6th I don’t know. (a date which was well before even the first leg)