Crusaders welcome Caernarfon to Seaview for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League round one qualification tie on Wednesday (July 17th). The visitors have a two-goal lead in the tie following their 2-0 home win in the first leg in Wales last week.
Morgan Owen and Zack Clarke scored first half goals to help their side claim the victory.
Both sides will now resume their quest to advance to the second round of the Conference League qualifiers. The winner of this tie will face Legia Warsaw in the next round while the losers get eliminated from the continental competition.
Crusaders vs Caernarfon Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Last week's clash was the first meeting between the two sides.
- Five of Crusaders' last seven games in all competitions have produced over 2.5 goals, with four games in this sequence witnessing goals at both ends.
- Six of Caernarfon's last eight competitive games have produced three goals or more.
- Caernarfon's last nine games have produced over 1.5 goals.
- Caernarfon are competing in the Conference League for the first time in their history.
- Four of Crusaders' last five home games in UEFA Club competition qualifiers have witnessed goals at both ends.
Crusaders vs Caernarfon Prediction
Crusaders suffered a shock defeat in the first leg to their debuting hosts and despite their two-goal deficit, Declan Caddell's side enter this clash as pre-game favorites. They paid the price for a poor start to the first leg and despite upping the ante after the break, the damage had already been done.
Caernarfon, for their part, are participating in European football for the first time in their history. Their two-goal advantage gives them a cushion and the Gwyneed outfit have scored at least two goals in each of their last four games. However, they might prioritize protecting their lead rather than trying to score more goals and are likely to play compactly.
Crusaders' need for goals could see them deploy a highline and a fast start to the game could be crucial to their hopes of qualification. We are backing the home side to claim a narrow win with goals to be scored at both ends.
Prediction: Crusaders 2-1 Caernarfon
Crusaders vs Caernarfon Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Crusaders to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Crusaders to score over 1.5 goals