LINFIELD head to Albania on Thursday for their first-round, second-leg clash (7.45pm) with KF Vllaznia FC and progress to the next round of the Uefa Europa Conference League is well within their grasp.
Two goals from Christopher McKee and another from Jack Scott helped David Healy’s side to a 3-1 home victory last week, but Marko Juric's late consolation for the visitors and a second yellow card for Linfield defender Danny Finlayson will have given the Albanian side a glimmer of hope that they can turn the tie around. Polish side MKLS Pogon Szczecin await the winners.
Unlike The Blues, Glentoran have completed their travelling and will try to ensure that home advantage counts for something against Gzira United following their 2-2 draw in the opening tie in Malta.
Junior Odegi-Izokwe missed an early spot-kick put made amends for that error when he headed home the opener after nine minutes. The home side held the lead at the break however, with goals coming through Wilkson and Brooklyn Borg. A goal eight minutes into the second half got Glentoran back on level terms and ultimately earned a share of the spoils, with Rhys Marshall hitting the net.
Victory at the Oval tonight (7.30pm) would earn the Glens another day out against either Luxembourg’s F91 Dudelange or St Patrick’s Athletic.
St Pat’s currently trail by one goal following their 2-1 defeat in the first leg, but, like Glentoran, they have home advantage this time around (7.45pm).
Goals from Oege-Sietse van Lingen and Roemer had the hosts in control, but Mark Doyle handed St Patrick’s Athletic a lifeline with a last-minute goal.
Dundalk will be urging their home support to come out in force as they try to battle past Bruno’s Magpies of Gibraltar (7.45pm) and qualify for the next round. The sides fought out a scoreless draw in the first fixture, so Stephen O’Donnell’s side stand a great chance of qualification.
Dundalk have only been beaten once in their last five outings and earned victory over Shamrock Rovers (2-0) in their most recent home encounter.
