Europa League Predictions > Jun 27th

[StevieDay1983]

The Europa League Prelimary Round first leg takes place tonight. I have a vested interest in this stage of the competition with two Cardiff-based clubs taking part in the shape of Barry Town and Cardiff Met Uni. It was only a couple of seasons ago that the team I managed played a side that boasted a number of Barry Town players in it so I'll be keen to see how they do. I'm also hoping to attend the Cardiff Met Uni home tie against Progres Niederkorn.

@delfino, @KikoCy, @giraldi, @Icongene, @dogmeister, @rangers234, @Pipoca, @Notorious, @ElPrincipito007, @KingSoccertips, @vasilli07, @betcatalog, @immortal--, @DW_United, @discipline, @WinningAdvice, @arvee, @silverfox, @FrenchEskimo, @liamcorrigan86, @ElPrincipito007, @Neubs, @TOTTI3, @Simeon Borisof, @Charon84, @Magic0024, @Xcout, @arsenalfh, @BJO, @footballeye, @gamblerxxx, @Xcout, @allyhibs, @cluelessG, @jazzman02 , @DrO, @chris50, @mtom, @canaries91, @slipkid, @Dzontra85, @Marek76, @hristofor, @Philosophy2 @Hitch, and @CloughandTaylor, are any of you guys betting on these early rounds of this competition?

[StevieDay1983]

Barry Town vs Cliftonville

It's hard to believe that the 2019/20 Europa League campaign has already started but it has. Welsh Premier League side Barry Town play NIFL Irish Premiership club Cliftonville in this first leg tie of this stage of the competition. The game kicks off at 6:30pm tonight at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium in Cardiff.

Barry Town are a bit of a romance story. The club has endured its hard times over recent years. It is a club that was once playing in the FA Cup, qualifying for Europe by winning the Welsh Cup, and regularly winning the Welsh Premier League. A dark financial period that saw John Fashanu involved at the helm at one stage has dogged their recent history. A demotion down the leagues hit them hard but the club has risen back up and qualified for this competition by finishing 3rd in the league last season. Gavin Chesterfield is doing fantastic things with the South Wales team.

Cliftonville are one of the great Northern Irish teams. Paddy McLaughlin guided his team to a 5th placed finish in the league last season and that helped take them into the European play-offs before sealing their spot in the Europa League with a 2-0 win after extra-time against Glentoran. A couple of players in their squad that might be familiar to English football fans are former Swansea striker Rory Donnelly and former Peterborough player Joe Gormley.

Unfortunately, I'm not holding out much hope for Barry Town here. Cliftonville possess a far more experienced side than the Dragons. Barry do possess a couple of former youth talents including ex-Southampton striker Kayne McLaggon and former West Brom winger Jack Compton. I just think their overall squad lacks compared to Cliftonville and they'll do well to get a draw.

Cliftonville to Win @ 2.00 with BetVictor

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.88 with MarathonBet

[StevieDay1983]

Progres Niederkorn vs Cardiff Met Uni

The second preview from this round of games once again focuses on one of the Welsh sides involved in the competition. This time it's Cardiff Met Uni who visit Luxembourg club Progres Niederkorn for this 6:30pm BST clash at the Stade Municipal in Differdange.

Progres Niederkorn finished 4th in the Luxembourg National Division last season meaning they are the lowest ranked Luxembourg side entering European competition this year. It was a close call as well because they only pipped local rivals Differdange 03 to the final spot on goal difference. It feels like they're rubbing salt into the wound of Differdange 03 by playing this game in their rival's stadium.

Cardiff Met Uni have been knocking on the door of European competition for years now. Dr Christian Edwards has built a competent side that qualified for the Europa League after an extra-time win against Bala Town in the European play-off final after a 1-1 draw. It was a fortunate finale for the Archers with the club initially finishing way down in 7th place in the league. This team has actually qualified for Europe before but under the identity of Inter Cardiff. They even played Celtic in the UEFA Cup back in the 1997/98 competition losing 8-0 on aggregate.

If this game had been played a few years back then I would have fancied Cardiff Met Uni to get something from this game. They were a stronger side in seasons gone past. The recent departure of talisman striker Adam Roscrow to AFC Wimbledon is a massive blow and that'll hamper their chances here. If they can keep the score respectable then they stand a chance in the home leg but they'll do well to keep the score down to a 1-2 goal defeat here.

Progres Niederkorn HT/FT @ 1.53 with Ladbrokes

Total Goals Scored Under 3.5 @ 1.73 with BetVictor