Connah's Quay vs Kilmarnock Predictions

Two sides with poor records in major European competitions go head to head in the first qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday when Connah’s Quay play host to Kilmarnock. The Welsh hosts made their European debut in 2016 where after beating Stabaek of Norway they were knocked out in the next qualifying round which remains their best finish yet. Kilmarnock have never made it passed the first round proper of any of the major European competitions and haven’t even made it this far since 2001.

Connah’s Quay finished second in the Welsh Premier League last season and their two pre-season games ahead of the new campaign produced a win over Cliftonville and a draw with Aberdeen. Kilmarnock had their best season of the last decade by finishing third behind Celtic and Rangers in 2018/19, but a draw with Gaz Metan Medias and a defeat to Dinamo Bucuresti means pre-season has yet to produce a win or even a goal for the Scottish side.

These two teams have never met before but the form of both teams since the end of last season and the overall quality of players they each possess suggests that Kilmarnock are likely to win to nil on Thursday. Connah’s Quay have only won one of their last five matches in all competitions, while Kilmarnock have won three of their last five matches. Connah’s Quay have failed to score in three of their last four matches and Kilmarnock have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches, which is why we’re backing a 3-0 win for Kilmarnock on Thursday.

Veteran striker Michael Wilde remains Connah’s Quay’s main source of goals even at the age of 35, while Eamonn Brophy scored eleven times in the league last season for Kilmarnock and is the danger man for the visitors. We’re confident that Kilmarnock will win to nil on Thursday and have predicted a final scoreline of 3-0. The visitors have a better European record than their hosts, possess a much more talented squad, and play regularly against better opposition than Connah’s Quay so should claim a routine victory on Thursday.