Glentoran vs TNS Predictions

• Glentoran had the best defensive record in the Northern Irish Premiership last season.
• There were fewer than three goals in nine of the last ten Glentoran league games.
• The New Saints have failed to beat East Fife and Stafford Rangers in pre-season games.

Ungenerous Glentoran geared up for TNS test

Glentoran go up against The New Saints in the new Europa Conference League first qualifying round on Thursday looking to pick up where they left off last term.

Mick McDermott’s side only had a two-week break following the conclusion of their domestic campaign in late May before pre-season began.

Glens finished strongly with back-to-back wins over Larne and Crusaders while they have also shaped well in pre-season games against Coleraine and Dundela.

The East Belfast side lost only once at home in 16 regular season contests last term and will be a hard team to break down for fellow professionals TNS.

The fifth-highest seeds in the first qualifying round draw, the team from Oswestry are seasoned campaigners in European competition.

This summer will be TNS’ 22nd consecutive appearance in Europe – although they have spent much of the last decade competing in Champions League qualifying rounds.

Aussie boss Anthony Limbrick has already put his own stamp on the side and it remains to be seen if he can emulate the success of his predecessor.

He has been trying to bed in new players during pre-season and it may take a bit longer before they can be fully trusted to win away from home.

Our pick is to play Under 3.5 goals here – while even Under 2.5 would have a good chance based on Glentoran’s stingy defence.

TNS drew two of their last five league games and played out a pre-season stalemate in Scotland recently so we are happy to take a 1-1 correct score bet for this.