Sligo Rovers Vs Motherwell
Sligo Rovers Vs Motherwell Thursday, 28 July 2022 – 19:00 (BST)
UEFA Europa Conference League
Pick: Motherwell to WIN
Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker: WilliamHill
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 26 July 2022)
Preview: Anyone who backed Sligo Rovers in Scotland last Thursday would have been rewarded with a 5/1 winner, after the Republic of Ireland side pulled off the upset by claiming a 1-0 win at Fir Park. Scottish teams have performed admirably in Europe these past couple seasons though, meaning there is ample pressure on Motherwell turning this around at Showgrounds stadium.
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Table of Contents
Sligo Rovers – Do League of Ireland side have another clinical display in them?
Ireland’s Sligo Rovers were responsible for arguably the biggest upset amongst last week’s UECL first legs, though Antwerp drawing 0-0 in Belgium when they were odds of 1/12 to beat Kosovo’s Drita probably slipped a little under the radar. Forward Aidan Keena coming up with the game’s only goal and sealing a memorable result for the team that finished a modest third last time round in League of Ireland.
John Russell’s side were clinical in Scotland, converting from one of six efforts on goal (Motherwell had nearly three times as many). That solitary tally should never have been enough to win that game but it was, and Sligo came away with their third win in four European away matches. Wins have proven more elusive in Ireland, however, with a 1-0 loss to Bala Town in the previous round putting them at W1 D1 L6 since 2009.
Key Stat: There have been Under 2.5 Goals in six of nine previous Sligo Rovers matches (domestic and European fixtures). This includes two of their three matches in Europe this season.
Motherwell – Well under pressure to deliver for Scottish football?
The boo boys were out in force last Thursday at Fir Park, and for good reason. For Motherwell to lose at home to Republic of Ireland opposition was a humbling reminder as to the level of Scottish football, which continues to be propped up in the UEFA Coefficients by the exploits of Celtic and, in particular, Rangers. Nevertheless, manager Graham Alexander has told his players to “keep believing.”
Some excuses, perhaps, were that they were only the fifth best side in Scotland last term. They’ve also been reliant on friendlies to get them up to speed, whereas Sligo are more than halfway through the 2022 LOI campaign. Neither will hold up to scrutiny, though, should they not win in Ireland and progress. And with no away wins in Europe since 2010 (D2 L6 thereafter), mounting a comeback is by no means assured.
Key Stat: Motherwell haven’t gone away from home in Europe and registered a clean sheet since a 1-0 win in Iceland versus Breioablik in 2010. Conceding in all eight subsequent away European games, and at least twice in each of the past three.
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Sligo Rovers Vs Motherwell Betting Advice
With no away win in Europe in their eight previous attempts. The status of this tie is actually a lot bleaker than it first seems for Motherwell, who beaten 1-0 at home a week ago despite seeing more possession (58%), creating more attempts on goal (17 to 6) and shots on target (8 to 2). But football is rarely linear, and at Fir Park it was the plucky underdog rewarded for being the more efficient side on the night.
Sligo Rovers Vs Motherwell – Key Facts:
- Aidan Keena’s second goal in three European outings in 2022 has Sligo Rovers ahead in this UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round tie.
- However, confidence in the team from Republic of Ireland preserving such a slim advantage is tempered by a record of one win in their last 11 European home games (W1 D3 L7).
- Not that Motherwell are well-versed when it comes to winning away from home in UEFA competitions. The Scottish side last winning on the road in Europe in 2010, losing six of eight subsequent games.
On a more encouraging note, Sligo Rovers’ home record in UEFA competitions is bordering on the diabolical. Since 2009 they have lost six of eight such matches. Beaten 1-0 in the previous round by Welsh outfit Bala Town who halted the League of Ireland’s side’s three-game scoring run at home in Europe. I’m anticipating the SPFL side will turn this thie around, but it may need to be achieved the hard way.
Best Betting Odds – Sligo Rovers Vs Motherwell
Sligo Rovers – 11/4 (Bet365)
Draw – 9/4 (Betway)
Motherwell – 23/20 (WilliamHill)
