Linfield have one last chance at qualifying for Europe and must get past Faroese outfit Vikingur to keep their Conference League hopes alive.
The Blues dropped out of the Champions League qualifying stage at the hands of fellow countrymen Shelbourne before dropping down to the Conference League path and beating Lithuanian side FK Zalgiris in the second round.
The third round presents a new challenge in the form of Vikingur Gota of the Faroe Islands – and if Linfield manage to get over the line here they will earn a play-off berth where David Healy’s men can become just the second Northern Irish team to qualify for the group stages of a European competition.
Vikingur vs Linfield Tips
- Draw @ 5/2
- Both teams to score @ 8/11
- Half with the most goals – neither (tie) @ 5/2
Match Details
- What: UEFA Conference League third qualifying round first leg
- Where: Torsvollur, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
- When: 7:00pm BST, Thursday, August 7
- How to watch: Linfield TV
Linfield can settle for a draw away from home in tough setting
A draw here looks value at 5/2 with Irish bookmakers. Odds compilers are struggling to split the pair with the hosts priced at 13/10 to win and Linfield at 7/4, which suggests there can’t be much between them.
Linfield will surely be happy to settle for a draw in a tough environment away from home before launching their attack at Windsor Park next week in front of their loyal supporters.
Vikingur were narrowly defeated by the Lincoln Red Imps in the Champions League qualifying stage last month, a side who fell to defeat to Linfield’s league rivals Larne in the Conference League play-offs last August.
It’s not an exact science of course, but Linfield wiped the floor with Larne in the league table last year and that suggests they should be able to at least hold their own here.
Linfield drew the first leg away from home against Zalgiris and put the tie to bed in the return fixture – I wouldn’t want to bet against a repeat of that.
Vikingur vs Linfield tip 1: Draw @ 5/2
Back both teams to score in Vikingur vs Linfield
Both teams to score at 8/11 looks a realistic possibility in the first leg. Linfield are most definitely the stronger side on paper but Vikingur’s home advantage should come to the fore.
That should result in a fairly even playing field and it would be no surprise to see both sides find the back of the net in Thursday’s clash.
Vikingur vs Linfield tip 2: Both teams to score @ 8/11
Evenly-matched encounter looks on the cards in Torshavn
Sticking with the theme of being evenly-matched, neither half to record the most goals (tie) is worth a stab at 5/2.
You could easily see one goal in each half – and a goalless draw would also pay out here, which could be a nice cover if you want to back both teams to score as well.
Vikingur vs Linfield tip 3: Half with the most goals – neither (tie) @ 5/2
Vikingur vs Linfield Prediction
Prediction: 1-1 @ 6/1
1-1 is likely to be one of the more popular correct score picks in this match-up and it’s not hard to see why – you’re splitting hairs to decipher which of these two sides is stronger.
Vikingur vs Linfield Odds
- Match: Vikingur 13/10 | Draw 5/2 | Linfield 7/4
- Goals: Over 2.5 17/20 | Under 2.5 19/20
- BTTS: Yes 8/11 | No 1/1