Bala Town and Paide Linnameeskond will square off in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League first round qualification tie on Thursday (July 11th). The home side are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Colwyn Bay in a friendly over the weekend.
Dafydd Gwion scored a second half brace to help his side claim the victory.
The Lakesiders will now turn their focus to continental action and booked their spot at this stage courtesy of their third-placed finish in the Welsh Cymru Premier last season.
Linnameeskond, meanwhile, shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at home to Narva in the Estonian Meistriliiga. They were two goals down at the break courtesy of strikes from Zakaria Beglarishvili and Taaniel Usta. Predrag Medic halved the deficit in the 57th minute while Hindrek Ojamaa drew the game level with nine minutes to go.
Ivan Stojković's side booked their spot at this stage of the Conference League qualifiers courtesy of their fourth-place finish in the Meistriliiga last season.
The winner of this tie will face either Stjarnan or Linfield in the next round while the losers will be eliminated.
Bala vs Paide Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
- Bala are winless in their last five games (three draws).
- Paide Linnameeskond are winless in their last six qualification games in UEFA club competitions (three losses).
- Five of Bala's last six games have been level at halftime.
- Linnameeskond's last five away games have produced over 1.5 goals.
- Five of Bala's last six qualification games in UEFA competitions have produced less than three goals.
Bala vs Paide Prediction
Bala will play this game at Park Hall rather than at their traditional home ground Maes Tegid. They did not win any of their three pre-season friendlies heading into this game (two losses).
Linnameeskond have been in competitive action in their league over the last few months. This could give them an edge as they aim to make it to the group stage of a UEFA club competition for the first time in their history.
We are tipping the visitors to claim a narrow win with goals at both ends.
Prediction: Bala 1-2 Paide
Bala vs Paide Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Paide to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Highest scoring half: Second half