Connahs Quay vs Shakhter Soligorsk Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Can Welsh side Connah’s Quay follow up their impressive first round win over Stabaek from 2016 by claiming more European glory this week? They are massive outsiders as they open up their Europa League campaign on Thursday night. They host Belarus Premier League side Shakhtyor Soligorsk in the first round of this season’s competition, with both sides dreaming of a run towards the group stages. While neither are likely to make it all the way to September, can the Welsh side upset the odds and claim an impressive first leg victory?

The hosts are playing just their seventh match in this competition, after struggling in their recent Europa League ties. They lost at the first hurdle against HJK last season, and they’ve now lost three of their last four Europa League games. Can they end that poor run and claim a result against Belarusian opposition this week?

The visitors aren’t dominating back home, but they’re much more experienced in Europe. Shakhtyor are fourth in their domestic league, two points shy of a place in the Europa League next year. They have to make the most of this chance to compete in Europe, and as heavy favourites we can’t see them having any problems. The fact that their league campaign is up and running is a huge boost, with their players up to speed ahead of this clash, while Connah’s Quay are just finding their fitness in preseason.

The visitors have won four and lost four of their last eight games on the road in this competition. They’ll be expected to follow that up with another victory, especially against a side who have produced just four goals across six matches in the Europa League. Connah’s Quay didn’t exactly have the greatest finish to the campaign, after losing back to back games to round off their Premier League season. Can they bounce back from that with a win?

We can’t see Shakhtyor having any problems here, as they look to continue a 12 game unbeaten run. They’ve conceded once in their last six games, keeping a clean sheet in 73% of their league games this term. They’re a very strong side at the back, so we don’t expect Connah’s Quay to get a goal. We’re going for an away win to nil, which looks like the best value in this game. We’re also backing a narrow 1-0 win for the side who have scored in seven of their last nine, but averaged a single goal per game.