Partizan Belgrade vs Connah's Quay Predictions

After their shock victory against Kilmarnock, can Connah’s Quay outdo themselves and pull off a result at Partizan Belgrade this week? They are heading into this clash following a 1-0 defeat at home in the first leg. However, their 2-0 win at Rugby Park has raised expectations for this trip, even though the odds are stacked against the Nomads heading into their trip to Serbia. Will Partizan live up to their favourites’ tag and secure a win to move into the next round?

The hosts will be a tough nut to crack on the road, they won’t have any of the European nerves which threw Killie in the last round. The hosts have a wealth of European experience across a long period of success on the continent, while they are looking to return to the group stage after reaching the knockout round of this competition in 2018. Given the size of the task at hand, just how will the Nomads compete on Thursday?

It does seem to be a huge mountain for the Welsh side to climb, even after their heroics in the last round. They aren’t under any pressure after causing a shock to reach this stage, but they will still look to come here with a conservative approach. They can’t go hunting a win to make the next round, the Welsh side need to be smart about finding chances in a game which looks incredibly one-sided. They have put in some solid defensive displays so far, while they’ll need another big performance to stay in this one.

Connah’s Quay did well to hold the hosts to a single goal in the first leg, but they will struggle to end Partizan’s seven-game unbeaten run at home in Europe. With three wins in their last four, it’s hard to see anything but a home win in this clash. However, they are already ahead, while facing a side who can frustrate a forward line. The Welsh outfit also won to nil at Killie in their last trip, while they’ve conceded just six times across their last five trips in this competition.

We don’t see much which suggests that Partizan will cover the big handicaps which the bookies are backing them to clear. Their last four wins in this competition have come by a single goal. On top of that, 10 of their last 11 games in the Europa League have seen under four goals. During their four-match unbeaten streak at home only once have they seen four or more goals scored, so we’re confident in backing under 3.5 goals for this encounter.