Glentoran vs RFS: Can either side secure an advantage in the first leg?
The opening qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League features a clash between Glentoran and RFS on Thursday, July 9. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:30 CET, and here is my betting tip for the match.
Glentoran vs RFS: Match preview
Glentoran, based in Belfast, finished third in the Northern Ireland Premiership last season, although they had been in contention for at least second place after the regular season. Everything was decided on the final matchday, when Glentoran suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat to Coleraine. With the new domestic season still a month away, the team will now focus on reaching the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. In preparation, they played five friendly matches, recording one win, two defeats and two draws.
The Riga-based side narrowly missed out on another league title last season, finishing just one point behind the champions and failing to win the Latvian title for the first time in three years. This season, RFS are once again battling city rivals Riga for top spot. The Latvian Higher League campaign is in full swing, with RFS currently leading the table by a single point. However, their attention now turns to the UEFA Conference League qualifiers and the Latvian Cup before returning to domestic league action in two weeks' time.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Glentoran have lost three of their last six matches.
- RFS have failed to win only four matches in all competitions this season.
- Glentoran have never competed in the league phase of a major European competition.
- RFS last played in European competition during the 2024/25 season, when they reached the UEFA Europa League group stage.
- These two teams have never met in a competitive fixture.
Probable line-ups
- Glentoran: Mills; Cooney, Larmour, Kane, Singleton; Thomson, McEneff; Daniels, Malone, Stewart; Hoban
- RFS: Nerugals; Filipovic, Prenga, Lipuscek, Kumater; Savalnieks, Saidy, Panic, Zelenkovs, Ikaunieks; Diomande
Prediction
RFS are in excellent form and possess valuable European experience. I believe they have what it takes to beat Glentoran, so my betting tip is an away win.
