Ballymena Utd vs NSI Runavik Predictions

After falling at the first hurdle in their only previous foray into the Europa League qualifiers, losing 5-0 on aggregate against Odd of Norway, Ballymena, who play in the Northern Irish Premiership, will be hoping to do better against opposition from the Faroe Islands. If they are to go through, then they will almost certainly need a positive result in front of a home crowd.

Domestically, Ballymena are coming off the back of a pleasing campaign, though they now enter unknown territory. This will be only the second time that the Northern Irish side have attempted to qualify for the Europa League. As touched on above, they were embarrassed by Norwegian opposition a couple of years ago, as they scored zero goals and conceded five over the two legs.

Fortunately, the hosts come into this match off the back of four straight wins on home soil, so they ought to be confident. Not only have they won their last four at Ballymena Showgrounds, but they’ve scored a pleasing ten goals during that time, while they’ve only shipped four, keeping two clean sheets. However, they’re up against a side that has more continental experience.

Runavik, who hail from the Faroe Islands, are minnows, there’s no two ways about that, but they are becoming regulars in Europa League qualifying, which could give them an edge over Thursday’s hosts, who’re inexperienced at this level.

Another advantage that the visitors have is the fact that they’re currently playing competitive football week in, week out, as the league season in the Faroe Islands is in full swing. Domestically, Runavik come into this match having won eight and drawn one of their last nine.

Playing on the road in Europa League qualifying hasn’t exactly been kind to Runavik, who since 2010, have lost seven travelling matches in UEL qualifying. They have played some good sides during that time, though they’ve also faced low-level opposition such as Linfield (Northern Ireland), Gefle, Shakhtyor (Belarus) (Sweden) and Differdange 03 (Luxembourg).

From a betting point of view, this is no easy fixture to assess and is thus not a game to get seriously involved in. One bet that may be worth a small play at the prices is ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’. Both will be keen to get something ahead of the second leg, while both are known for being involved in high-scoring matches in their respective leagues. Moreover, for all Runavik have conceded a lot of goals when playing away from home in UEL qualifying, even against weak opposition, they have scored in each of their last two away, notching against Minsk in 2017 and Hibernian in 2018.