Twente vs Riga FC Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 08/08/2023, 17:15  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 08/08/2023 at 17:15 in Conference League Predictions

FC Twente and Riga FC will lock horns in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The first leg will take place at De Grolsch Veste, and the winner of the two-legged tie will face either Fenerbahce or Maribor in the next round. The hosts came into this competition at the start of the last round, where they were drawn against Hammarby. They managed to secure a 1-0 lead in the first leg but needed a goal in extra time after the second leg to secure their spot in this round. Twente finished last season in fifth place in the Eredivisie with 64 points, which was three fewer than AZ Alkmaar in fourth and 18 behind league winners Feyenoord. They recorded 18 wins, ten draws, and six losses in their 34 matches and maintained the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 27, which was three goals better than the league winners. Twente ended the season unbeaten in their last nine matches, winning seven and drawing two. The hosts are the strong favourites to take the advantage in the first leg of this tie. 

Meanwhile, Riga come into this match off the back of a 5-1 win over Super Nova in the Latvian Higher Division. The visitors currently lead their domestic league after 25 matches with 64 points, three clear of Rigas FS in second place. Having finished second in their domestic league last season, Riga have had to navigate both previous rounds of qualifiers in this competition, which began with a 2-1 aggregate win over Vikingur Reykjavik and a 4-3 aggregate win over Kecskemet in the previous round. Notably, Riga lost both their away matches in the preceding rounds. This is by far Riga’s toughest assignment in this competition, and they would likely be ecstatic if they can keep it level. They would arguably even take a one-goal deficit. The visitors are 8/1 outsiders to win this match.