Connah's Quay vs Partizan Belgrade Predictions

Connah’s Quay might have surprised many of us by defeating Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock in the last qualifying round but this week’s opponents Partizan present much more of a threat to the Welsh side’s chances of making it through to the Europa League proper. Partizan are a Serbian club with a history in European football that stretches all the way back to the 1965/66 season when they made it through to the European Cup Final only to lose to Real Madrid 2-1.

Connah’s Quay had work to do in their 2nd leg against Kilmarnock after they had lost at home to the Scottish side 2-1, and when the sides went in level at the break goalless it looked as if the Welsh sides European dream might be over. However, five minutes into the second have Wignall put Connah’s Quay in front and eleven minutes from time Findlay gave away a penalty and was sent-off by the Hungarian referee. Morris converted the spot-kick to put the visitors 2-0 up but the tie ended on a sour note for Connah’s Quay when five minutes from time goalscorer Wignall picked up his second yellow card of the match and was given his marching orders.

Partizan made the trip to Indija for their opening game of the new season in Serbia, where a twenty-seventh-minute effort from Tošić proved enough for the visitors to claim a 1-0 win. However, Partizan were reduced to ten men late on when Ivanovic picked up his second yellow card of the game with twelve minutes still left to play, but the visitors held on and got their campaign off to a winning start.

The form and performances of each of these two clubs suggest that under 2.5 goals will be scored in Thursday’s 1st leg and that partizan will win. Under 2.5 goals were produced in four of Connah’s Quay’s last six matches, while under 2.5 goals were also scored in two of Partizan’s last four matches. Connah’s Quay have lost three of their last six matches and Partizan have won four of their last six matches in all competitions. Connah’s Quay have failed to score in three of their last six matches, which is why we’re backing a 2-0 win for Partizan on Thursday.

Morris and Wignall are the only two players to have scored in the Europa League for Connah’s Quay this season, as their only goal during the 1st leg against Kilmarnock was an own goal. Partizan enter the qualifying stage at this round and therefore are yet to see any of their players score in the competition but that is likely to change on Thursday. We’re confident that under 2.5 goals will be scored in Thursday’s match and have predicted a final scoreline of 2-0 to Partizan. The visitors have much more European experience and play in a higher quality league than the Welsh side which should give Partizan the advantage, but we’re still expecting a close and competitive ninety minutes on Thursday.