Motherwell vs HB Torshavn Predictions

• Motherwell have faced a high calibre of opposition in pre-season
• The Well lost just three of their 19 home Premiership games last season (W10, D6)
• HB Torshavn are winless across their last seven European qualifying games

Motherwell should brush HB Torshavn aside

Motherwell are involved in European qualifying for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign and they should have little trouble in seeing off HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands in their first Conference League qualifier.

HB are regulars in the summer qualifiers but they have a poor record. They haven’t won a tie since the summer of 2021 and haven’t won an individual game since the following summer, meaning they are winless in seven European fixtures ahead of Thursday’s game at Fir Park.

HB have lost their last three away qualifiers without scoring but have drawn their last three home qualifiers, so Motherwell will want to build up a first leg lead and the best option could be backing the hosts to win without conceding.

The handicap market was under consideration but the standard line is set at -2 and that looks a big headstart for HB, who will maintain a defensive approach regardless of whether they fall behind early.

Motherwell had the second best defensive record in the Premiership last season and in home games alone they shipped just 13 goals in 19 games, so their defence should be able to shut-out a HB side who are unlikely to be particularly adventurous in attack.

The Well aren’t necessarily prolific scorers but they may still be able to beat that -2 handicap even if I did swerve it for our main bet and a 3-0 home win has a chance. Motherwell scored three in defeat to a strong Genk side in their last pre-season games and scored more than once in their final two games against the Glasgow clubs last season, so they can just about put this tie to bed before they head to the Faroe Islands for the return leg.