Buducnost Podgorica host Malisheva at the Podgorica City Stadium in Montenegro on Thursday for the second leg of their clash in the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round.
As things stand, the hosts are facing an elimination from the qualifiers unless they can turn around their 1-0 deficit. Ivan Brnović's side went down to Etnik Brruti's strike in the 67th minute as their resistance was finally broken.
However, all is not lost yet, and the Blue-Whites can still progress into the Europa Conference League's second qualifying round, should they win by a two-goal margin at home. But here's the twist: the Montenegrin side have not won in their last four qualifier games in Europe, and must find their feet sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, 11 July 2024 will be etched in Malisheva's history books forever. It was their first appearance in a European qualifier, and the Kosovar outfit came up trumps, while even keeping a clean sheet. However, it would be remiss of the side to rest on their laurels, as their hosts have more experience in these games and will be aiming to fight their way back into the tie.
Buducnost vs Malisheva Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This is just the second official meeting between the sides in history.
- Buducnost Podgorica have lost their last four European qualifiers, conceding 11 times and netting thrice, although all three of those goals came against North Macedonia's Struga in a 4-3 loss in the second qualifying round of the 2023-24 Europa Conference League.
- Their rivals from Kosovo are playing in just the second European qualifier of their history.
- Buducnost Podgorica have lost three of their last five home games in the European qualifiers.
- Buducnost Podgorica have reached the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League qualifiers in each of the previous three seasons.
- In three qualifying games against Kosovan sides, the Blue-Whites won, drew and lost once each, with the first two results coming against Llapi in the first qualifying round of the 2022-23 Europa Conference League.
Buducnost vs Malisheva Prediction
Buducnost Podgorica are trailing in the tie, albeit by a small margin. Given their experience in the European qualifiers, they should be able to turn this around, but with some difficulty.
Prediction: Buducnost 2-0 Malisheva
Buducnost vs Malisheva Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Buducnost Podgorica to win
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No