FK Auda vs Cliftonville Predictions

• Both teams have scored in Cliftonville’s last six competitive away matches
• Both teams have scored in the first leg in a game of few clear-cut chances
• Auda have scored two or more goals in five of their last six games

Reds can register in Riga

Cliftonville can make their presence felt in Riga on Wednesday night, but a 2-1 first-leg deficit in their Europa Conference League qualifying tie against FK Auda might be too much for Jim Magilton’s men to overturn.

The Reds battled gamely to keep the tie alive in a game of few clear-cut chances at Solitude last week, but three goals were scored nonetheless.

The Latvian side are in the middle of their domestic season and their superior fitness told.

Auda’s attackers were a handful

Auda’s three African attacking players also looked to have a bit too much pace and skill for Cliftonville’s defence at times, which augurs well for them to back up the result at Skonto Stadium this week.

Cliftonville lost strikers Ben Wilson and Sam Ashford, who hit 27 goals between them last term, in the summer and still appear to be a bit short on goalscoring quality up front, despite the return of Rory Donnelly for a third spell.

But the semi-professionals from Belfast will go to Riga with a positive game plan and can make their mark by scoring in the game.

Magilton’s men may be a danger on set plays

Magilton’s side scored their goal from a corner and the former Northern Ireland international felt Cliftonville were a threat from set-pieces throughout the first leg.

Auda appeared vulnerable on crosses and were fortunate not to concede from one at home to B36 of the Faroe Islands in the previous round when a the Torshavn-based side had a goal ruled out for a close offside.

Auda are in great form and should record their seventh straight victory in all competitions, but backing both teams to score in the game looks a lot more fun than trusting a team that do not need to win at a short odds-on price.