NSI RUNAVIK v BALLYMENA UNITED
Europa League
Thursday 4th July 2019
Kickoff: 1900hrs
Pick: NSI Runavik AH-0.25
Bookmaker: Marathonbet
Odds: 1.53 (odds taken at 13:16 GMT, 03 July 2019)
The 2nd legs of the Europa League preliminary round resume on Wednesday night and our next preview features Faroe Islands side, NSI Runavik, taking on Northern Ireland outfit, Ballymena United, as the betting tips continue at their við Løkin ground.
Runavik Prediction – Can Runavik chase down 2-goal deficit?
NSI Runavik find themselves trying to chase down a 2-goal deficit following last week’s 1st leg 2-0 loss away in Northern Ireland.
Thursday night’s hosts were handed a 2-0 defeat at Ballymena United but now return to their home surroundings for this decisive 2nd leg.
Last week’s defeat was Runavik’s first loss in 10 matches overall in all competitions, while their last two matches have been a draw and a loss.
These last two results were both away from home though in a 1-1 draw at B36 Torshavn in the Faroe Islands Meistaradeildin, as well as the loss to Ballymena.
However, all is not lost for the hosts as Runavik have won their last 10 home matches on the trot at their við Løkin ground.
The goals have also flowed in Runavik’s favour too as the hosts have racked up a total of 32 goals during this impressive 10-match sequence.
Midfielders Knudsen and Mortensen (4 goals apiece) along with striker and leading goalscorer, Klamint Olsen (16 goals) give the hosts a decent chance of overturning the deficit here.
Ballymena United Prediction – Can Ballymena United hang on?
Ballymena United look to be in the driving seat after they recorded what could turn out to be a tie-winning 2-0 win in last week’s 1st leg.
The Northern Irish club certainly made their home advantage count at The Showgrounds and made the most of their home surroundings.
The visitors will now make their way over to the Faroe Islands on Thursday night as they look to protect their 2-goal lead.
Having won 5 of their last 6 matches overall in all competitions, Ballymena look well placed to at least avoid a heavy defeat here and progress through to the next round.
However, it should be noted that all of these 5 recent wins were all registered on home turf, while results away from home have been far more circumspect.
Wins at Institute and Coleraine have been offset by losses at Linfield and Crusaders, and their only previous appearance on the road in the Europa League ended in defeat.
A heavy 3-0 loss away at Morwegian Eliteserien side, Odd BK, has been their only other excursion on the road at this level.
Key-Facts – Runavik v Ballymena Utd
- Runavik have won their last 10 home matches on the trot at their við Løkin ground
- Runavik racked up a total of 32 goals during this impressive 10-match sequence
- Ballymena’s only previous away tie in the Europa League ended in a 3-0 defeat
Betting Tips Verdict
Although they’re 2 goals down, hosts Runavik still stand a decent chance of turning this tie around.
