Who says i cant do both?
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Who says i cant do both?
I'd take it one trip at a time.
Pyunik look like a decent side. According to wikipedia, they've narrowly failed to reach the 2nd round qualifiers in the last two campaigns, losing out to FC Haka and Sheriff. However they made it through in 02, 03 and 04, they're a hardened European outfit and i'm sure they'll be feeling confident giving our current form.
Ideally we need a comfortable result at home. It's a bit of a finance mare for the directors though.
For those who may know a bit more about Swedish football, how good are Elsborg?
Going by co-efficients Swedish football doesn't seem a million miles ahead of Linfield. But then Co-efficients don't tell the whole story either.
If I'm not mistaken I think Glentoran played Elfsborg a season or two ago.
EDIT: Glentoran got beat 1-0 at home and lost 2-1 away in the 2nd round of the qualifiers. So they are not that much better. Definately a winnable tie.
Linfield should at least hope to get through against Elfsborg. In fact I'd make them slight favourites to win that based on the relevant records of EL teams against Swedish teams & Linfield. So good luck to them.
I said Derry would be fine if they avoided the British teams or the long trips to Eastern Europe, and well, they didn't............so who knows. I'd back them to win over two legs having beaten opponents with much bigger pedigree before but must confess I know nothing about Pyunik so it could be a difficult one.
Steve Bruce-you've seen Ventspils play and will probably soon see TNS play if you haven't already, so I'd be interested in your opinion on that one.
Derry play Pyunik, winner plays Shaktar
Derry City are away in the first leg which will be some help. Get a draw or narrow defeat & sets it up for the next leg.
This is slowly but surely turning into the season from hell!!
At least Drogs got an easy draw.
Should be 2 wins.
if Pats and Derry win at home at least then the coefficients wont be too bad.
I haven't seen TNS play, but I would presume they are of similar calibre to Linfield.
I would say you have a good chance of going through.
They are a useful team but not earth shattering. If Linfield had of drawn them, I would be very confident.
I could tell you better next saturday after Linfield play TNS though.
Derry did really well last season, but I think their European juggernaut has just ground to a halt with this draw.
A new manager in time for the first leg might keep it respectable.
I think that draw is a decent draw for Derry, they should come through that tie quite comfortably. They will get hammered by Shakhtar if they go through but just to play them will give some much experience.
Drogheda, getting the easiest team in the hat, that is a easy win. See if they can out score the National Team in San Marino.
Pats have a game that could go any way, Shelbourne should have knocked them out last year in the Intertoto and Pats have a chance if they have some decent form.
Who are Drogs and Pats playing?
It hasn't been mentioned on the thread i don't think.
St. pats play Odense and Drogheda play Libertas