Magpies host Dundalk in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League with both teams looking to progress all the way to the group stage. Dundalk have more experience than their opponents at this level and should do enough to claim the upper hand.
Magpies are largely inexperienced on the continent and are making only their second appearance in any European competition. They featured in last season’s Conference League, suffering a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Northern Irish side Crusaders.
Despite failing to progress beyond the first qualifying round, Magpies will take confidence from the 2-1 victory in the home leg of the tie. However, the problem is that they have not been at their best in recent weeks and head into Thursday’s clash with just one regulation time win in their last five matches across all competitions.
While Magpies will be mostly relying on home support on Thursday, their recent record at Victoria Stadium has been less than stellar. Nathan Rooney’s men have claimed just one regulation time win in their last six matches in front of their fans, losing two of their last three fixtures in that run.
Dundalk have far more experience than Magpies in European competition having featured regularly at this stage in recent times. They even reached the group of the Europa League during the 2020-21 season and will fancy their chances of getting past the Gibraltarians.
The League of Ireland side do not head into Thursday’s clash on a positive note as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Bohemians in a domestic fixture last weekend. However, that was their first loss in six matches across all competitions having claimed four wins in that run.
Dundalk have also shown some quality on their recent travel, claiming back-to-back wins prior to the defeat at Bohemians. However, like that result showed, they have struggled defensively and are without a clean sheet in their last six away matches across all competitions.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have installed Dundalk as overwhelming favourites with a win priced at 8/13 by Paddy Power. Magpies are considered outsiders at home at 4/1 by Unibet while a draw is set at odds of 11/4 with bet365.
Head to head
This will be the first ever meeting between Magpies and Dundalk.
Players to watch
Veteran striker Kyle Casciaro often leads the line for Magpies and could be worth keeping an eye on as the Gibraltarians look to capitalise on Dundalk’s defensive vulnerability. With Pibe also providing support, both men could combine to ensure the hosts produce over 0.5 goals at 4/7 with Unibet.
Patrick Hoban has been the standout player for Dundalk in recent weeks and heads into this clash with six goals in his last six matches. John Martin also features in attack and both men could combine to produce over 1.5 goals for the visitors at 4/5 with Unibet.
Anything else catch the eye?
Magpies and Dundalk have struggled defensively lately and both teams could be backed to score at 10/11 with Betfred. The Irish side saw over 3.5 goals in their previous fixture and a repeat is valued at 5/2 by Betfred while over 2.5 goals can also be considered at evens with Paddy Power.
Dundalk are priced at minimal odds for a straight win, so a victory and over 2.5 goals can be considered at 17/10 with Paddy Power. The League of Ireland side can also be tipped to score in both halves at 7/4 with Betfred.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Magpies and Dundalk will be played on Jul 13, 2023 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Magpies vs Dundalk prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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