BALLYMENA UNITED v NSI RUNAVIK
Europa League
Thursday 27th June 2019
Kickoff: 1945hrs
Pick: Both teams to score
Bookmaker: bet365
Odds: 1.80 (odds taken at 02:09 GMT, 27 June 2019)
The Europa League preliminary rounds started recently and our next preview features a clash between Northern Ireland outfit, Ballymena United, and Faroe Islands side, NSI Runavik, as the betting tips continue at The Showgrounds on Thursday night.
Ballymena United Prediction- Can Ballymena make use of home advantage?
The two phases of the northern Irish domestic top flight season saw Ballymena United finish runners-up in the regular season and finished in 2nd spot in the Championship Round.
Linfield finished a clear 10 points ahead of Ballymena United, but nevertheless, it was a successful campaign for the runners-up as they turn their attentions to the Europa League.
Ballymena United haven’t played competitive football since he end of April though, which resulted in a 3-0 loss at home to Crusaders.
However, recent back-to-back friendly wins over Welsh Premier League clubs, Cardiff Met University and Barry Town United will have given them a timely boost.
The hosts ended the regular season with an impressive home record that finished up on 11-3-2 38/18, but results on home turf during the Championship Round were mixed.
Defeats to Linfield and Crusaders were offset by victories against Coleraine and Glenavon, while 65% of Ballymena United’s home matches overall saw both teams score.
Ballymena forwards Friel (13 goals) and Lecky (10 goals) were the hosts’ leading goalscorers last season.
NSI Runavik Prediction – Can NSI Runavik remain in tie?
Faroe Islanders, NSI Runavik, will make their way over to Northern Ireland for the 1st leg of this preliminary round of the Europa League in confident mood.
The visitors currently sit top of the Faroe top flight, albeit by a superior goal difference, and have played 14 matches of their new Meistaradeildin season to date.
NSI Runavik therefore have no worries about the amount of competitive football played under their belts heading into this important 1st leg at The Showgrounds.
The Faroe Islanders are also in impressive form at the minute as they’ve racked up 8 wins out of their last 9 matches overall in the domestic top flight.
However, results away from home have so far produced a mixed return following 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats within an away record of 2-2-2 13/7 to date.
Following early back-to-back defeats on the road at Skala and KI, NSI have turned things around by being unbeaten in their last 3 matches away from home.
Emphatic wins at TB 3-0 and EB/Streymur 8-1 will also give the visitors a fair amount of confidence ahead of this 1st leg on Thursday night.
Striker Olsen (16 goals) looks the most likely for the visitors.
Key-Facts – Ballymena Utd v NSI Runavik
- 65% of Ballymena United’s home matches overall saw both teams score
- NSI Runavik have won 8 of their last 9 matches overall
- NSI Runavik are unbeaten in their last 3 matches on the road
Betting Tips Verdict
The mixture of Ballymena United holding home advantage and NSI Runavik being top of the Meistaradeildin should see both teams score in this clash.
