Newtown Vs HB Torshavn
Newtown Vs HB Torshavn Thursday, 14 July 2022 – 18:15 (BST)
UEFA Europa Conference League Qualification
Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: 10Bet
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 11 July 2022)
Preview: A set-piece goal proved the difference in the Faroe Islands as HB Torshavn established a slender 1-0 lead in this UEFA Europa Conference first qualifying round match-up. Can Newtown A.F.C, however, with the benefit of home advantage, turn this tie around in Wales?
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Table of Contents
Newtown – Bar set low after flat first leg?
The side who ply their trade in the Welsh Cymru Premier will be ecstatic to get back to Wales with only a one goal deficit. The Robins would see precious little of the ball in the Faroe Islands, and when presented with it weren’t able to create a great deal – finishing with lowly figures for possession (less than 40%), shots (3) and shots on target (0). Their corner count (5) was actually superior to their number of attempts on goal.
Can a partisan crowd inside Latham Park bring out a more competitive performance from the men in red? Possibly not if their domestic record in 2021-22 is a reliable gauge of what we can expect in this deciding leg. Last season, Newtown A.F.C finished third in the league but with only the fifth highest home points total (W7 D3 L6). Producing fewer goals (23 vs 27) as well as shipping more (21 vs 14) compared to on the road.
Key Stat: The Welsh side’s home record in Europe shows one win – a 2-1 scoreline versus Maltese opponents Valletta in 2015 – in five such games (W1 D2 L2, GF4 GA9).
HB Torshavn – That first-leg a missed opportunity?
As expected, HB Torshavn dominated proceedings out in the Faroe Islands but only had the one goal, a header from 25-year-old centre-halve Bartal Wardum, to show for it. As per UEFA’s website, they created just the two ‘clear chances’ from 17 efforts on the Welsh goal and needed a corner – one of their 12 on the night – to finally break the deadlock.
They did, however, provide the impression of a team that had benefited from regular competitive football of late. That was indeed the case. The 2022 season in the Faroe Islands is more than fifty per cent complete, with HB Torshavn 15 points off leaders Klaksvik in third place. Of their eight victories thus far, five would come away from home where they are currently enjoying a run of three straight wins to nil.
Key Stat: In this season’s Faroe Islands Premier League, HB Torshavn would only record a single clean sheet through their opening ten matches but have since shut out four of five subsequent opponents. All of which ended in wins.
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Newtown Vs HB Torshavn Betting Advice
That first leg really wasn’t much of a contest. On that basis, the hosts on this occasion – a Newtown side that struggled to get any change from the HB Torshavn defence – have their work cut out even making this a competitive game. At only 1-0 down on aggregate though, the tie is still very much in the balance. Though Newtown AFC would win only one of five previous European home games (D2 L2).
Newtown Vs HB Torshavn – Key Facts:
- After losing the first leg to this tie 1-0, Newtown A.F.C have now failed to score in seven of their 11 matches in UEFA club competitions. They were beaten 1-0 by Dundalk, in the summer of 2021, in their most recent European home game.
- HB Torshavn have only ever managed one away win from 30 such matches in European football, though that was recent. In a 2-0 win over Buducnost Podgorica of Montenegro during qualification for last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League.
- There have been fewer than three match goals in all five previous HB Torshavn away matches (all in the Faroe Islands top division), winning the most recent three to nil.
Clearly, I am no expect about either team or their respective leagues. However, it is still tempting to put up HB Torshavn to win as my selection, based solely off how dominant they were first time round. Of course, they were at home then, but the bare stats were nevertheless damning. Chances were at premium though, for both sides, and with HB winning their last three away fixtures to nil, going low on goals also appeals.
Best Betting Odds – Newtown Vs HB Torshavn
Newtown – 11/5 (Coral)
Draw – 12/5 (Bet365)
HB Torshavn – 27/20 (Coral)
