European Predictions?(for Irish League and LOI Clubs)

**Steve Bruce** · 16/07/2007, 9:00 AM

Linfield vs Elfsborg

If Linfield can come out and fight for every ball, don't make mistakes we might be able to sneak a win here. Unfortunately with Linfield in pre-season training and IMO very poor European preperation, I can only hope I'll be my doubts are wrong and we have prepared well behind the scenes.

Derry City vs Pyunik

Derry City have been struggling this season and they are playing against an unknown side, who apparently are streets ahead of the rest in their league. I think though that this game could be a 0-0 draw or a 1-1 draw.

Libertas vs Drogheda

The only cert of all the fixtures. I would expect Drogs to wrap this tie up in the first leg. I predict atleast a 0-4 win here for Drogs.

Glentoran vs AIK

Glentoran has had a good pre-season although the teams they played aren't that great. AIK are struggling in Sweden but Swedish football is considerably higher standard. I think AIK will have too much fitness and speed for an aging Glentoran side. I predict a 1-2 AIK win.

Dungannon vs Suduva

Dungannon have no real European experience and going by last seasons performances they are very much a middle of the road IL side. With a couple of good players and one very good player in McCalister. However I can only see Dungannon losing this game 0-2

St Pats vs OB

St Pats are having a good season so far, but I feel OB will be that bit better. I think St Pats will be stretched, but if they get the bit between their teeth they could pull off a credible draw or even snatch a win.

Overall I think Irish League and LOI clubs have got a hard draw in Europe this year. Drogheda is the only cert. Hopefully though 2 or 3 teams more can get through.

What are your predictions for each game?

**GavinZac** · 16/07/2007, 9:03 AM

Linfield 0-2 Elfsborg
Derry City 1-0 Pyunik
Libertas 1-1 Drogheda
Glentoran 0-2 AIK
Dungannon 0-3 Suduva
St Pats 1-1 OB

**Philly** · 16/07/2007, 9:10 AM

Linfield 1-2 Elfsborg
Derry City 2-0 Pyunik
Libertas 0-3 Drogheda
Glentoran 0-2 AIK
Dungannon 0-2 Suduva
St Pats 1-2 OB

**ifk101** · 16/07/2007, 9:20 AM

Linfield 0-1 Elfsborg, Elfsborg 4-0 Linfield
Derry City 0-0 Pyunik, Pyunik 2-0 Derry
Libertas 0-1 Drogheda, Drogheda 3-0 Libertas
Glentoran 0-2 AIK, AIK 2-0 Glentoran
Dungannon 0-1 Suduva, Suduva 1-0 Dungannon
St Pats 1-0 OB, OB 2-0 St Pats

I can't see Linfield getting anything out of the games with Elfsborg. I'm surprised that the away leg will be played at Elfsborg's home ground - which has a plastic pitch. This is a major disadvantage for Linfield.

Haven't a clue how good Pyunik are. But they seem capable of getting a result in Derry and winning the tie.

Drogs should win both legs.

I don't think AIK will have any problems with Glentoran.

Suduva are in the middle of their season so they should have the edge on Dungannon.

I've a feeling Pats can scrape a home win against OB but I make OB favourites to win the tie.

**Steve Bruce** · 16/07/2007, 9:37 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Linfield 0-1 Elfsborg, Elfsborg 4-0 Linfield
Derry City 0-0 Pyunik, Pyunik 2-0 Derry
Libertas 0-1 Drogheda, Drogheda 3-0 Libertas
Glentoran 0-2 AIK, AIK 2-0 Glentoran
Dungannon 0-1 Suduva, Suduva 1-0 Dungannon
St Pats 1-0 OB, OB 2-0 St Pats

I can't see Linfield getting anything out of the games with Elfsborg. I'm surprised that the away leg will be played at Elfsborg's home ground - which has a plastic pitch. This is a major disadvantage for Linfield.

Haven't a clue how good Pyunik are. But they seem capable of getting a result in Derry and winning the tie.

Drogs should win both legs.

I don't think AIK will have any problems with Glentoran.

Suduva are in the middle of their season so they should have the edge on Dungannon.

I've a feeling Pats can scrape a home win against OB but I make OB favourites to win the tie.

You might be right. But one thing I cannot see and that's Linfield NOT scoring over the two legs.

**lofty9** · 16/07/2007, 10:46 AM

You can get 5/1 on Pyunik to win at the Brandywell. I like a bet. Is it wrong for me to bet against my own team? Those odds are simply too good to turn down.

**Dodge** · 16/07/2007, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by lofty9

You can get 5/1 on Pyunik to win at the Brandywell. I like a bet. Is it wrong for me to bet against my own team? Those odds are simply too good to turn down.

I've often bet against Pats. Would rather we won but if we lose I have a little compensation. Far too many people bet with their heart

**Steve Bruce** · 16/07/2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by lofty9

You can get 5/1 on Pyunik to win at the Brandywell. I like a bet. Is it wrong for me to bet against my own team? Those odds are simply too good to turn down.

Suppose it's a win win situation. You lose you get a wee pay out, you win then you get a good result.

If you draw, then you lose both ways

**paul_oshea** · 16/07/2007, 11:26 AM

You can get 5/1 on Pyunik to win at the Brandywell. I like a bet. Is it wrong for me to bet against my own team? Those odds are simply too good to turn down

nah its the best thing, cos you dont care how much money you lose so long as they win!!!

bruce i never thought of the draw factor!!

**Dodge** · 16/07/2007, 11:30 AM

Lay Derry on betfair if you want to include the draw.

As for predictions; Drogheda should win home and away. Think Derry will have enough to get by. In our game I'm not too confident. I think we'll score goals but can't see us keeping a clean sheet at home, never mind away. Just hope we keep the tie alive for the trip to Denmark

**Cymro** · 16/07/2007, 11:57 AM

Linfield vs Elfsborg

Cymro says: 1-0, 1-2-Linfield through on away goals.

Derry City vs Pyunik

Cymro says: 2-0, 2-3, Derry through by one goal.

Libertas vs Drogheda

Cymro says: 0-2, 0-4, easy win for Drogheda.

Glentoran vs AIK

Cymro says: 1-2, 0-2, AIK are going to be too strong in my opinion.

Dungannon vs Suduva

Cymro says: 1-0, 0-0, Dungannon to get through by the skin of their teeth. Suduva are poor so the Swifts can do that if they put their mind to it.

St Pats vs OB

Cymro says: 1-1, 1-3, Odense will have too much.

The Welsh teams (c'mon guys)

The New Saints v Ventspils

Cymro says: 1-0, 1-3, sadly, the Latvians will probably edge the tie.

Caerfyrddin v SK Brann

Cymro says: 1-2, 0-2, I'll be watching this one at Richmond Park, realistically I don't expect carmarthen to achieve anything, but will hope to see a good performance.

Rhyl v FC Haka

Cymro says: 1-0, 1-2, best chance of all the Welsh sides in my opinion. Away goals victory, with a bit of luck.

**Dodge** · 16/07/2007, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Cymro

Caerfyrddin v SK Brann

Cymro says: 1-2, 0-2, I'll be watching this one at Richmond Park, realistically I don't expect carmarthen to achieve anything, but will hope to see a good performance.

Is their home ground called Richmond Park too? I feel an SEI close season trip now...

**Pablo** · 16/07/2007, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Is their home ground called Richmond Park too? I feel an SEI close season trip now...

Its also known as the Stadium of Shyte fullily enough!

**Steve Bruce** · 16/07/2007, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Cymro

Linfield vs Elfsborg

Cymro says: 1-0, 1-2-Linfield through on away goals.

Derry City vs Pyunik

Cymro says: 2-0, 2-3, Derry through by one goal.

Libertas vs Drogheda

Cymro says: 0-2, 0-4, easy win for Drogheda.

Glentoran vs AIK

Cymro says: 1-2, 0-2, AIK are going to be too strong in my opinion.

Dungannon vs Suduva

Cymro says: 1-0, 0-0, Dungannon to get through by the skin of their teeth. Suduva are poor so the Swifts can do that if they put their mind to it.

St Pats vs OB

Cymro says: 1-1, 1-3, Odense will have too much.

The Welsh teams (c'mon guys)

The New Saints v Ventspils

Cymro says: 1-0, 1-3, sadly, the Latvians will probably edge the tie.

Caerfyrddin v SK Brann

Cymro says: 1-2, 0-2, I'll be watching this one at Richmond Park, realistically I don't expect carmarthen to achieve anything, but will hope to see a good performance.

Rhyl v FC Haka

Cymro says: 1-0, 1-2, best chance of all the Welsh sides in my opinion. Away goals victory, with a bit of luck.

I hope your predictions are right

**Cymro** · 16/07/2007, 1:28 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

I hope your predictions are right

I don't know why you think Linfield will definitely lose. OK, they are a reasonable side, but look at the recent record of Swedish sides in Europe. They have lost 2 out of 3 to Cork, and Linfield must surely be of a similar standard to them? Also, they rarely make it past the second rounds and Gefle lost to Llanelli last year. Hardly unbeatable.

I suppose having a winter season makes things harder, but with the right preperation that problem can be solved. I personally think more teams from Wales and Northern ireland should play each other in pre-season. The standard seems to be pretty similar and it would be better than playing lower league sides as preperation.

In my opinion, if Linfield are focused and on form they can absolutely beat Elfsborg. It will be close, but I feel they can be beaten.

**Steve Bruce** · 16/07/2007, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Cymro

I don't know why you think Linfield will definitely lose. OK, they are a reasonable side, but look at the recent record of Swedish sides in Europe. They have lost 2 out of 3 to Cork, and Linfield must surely be of a similar standard to them? Also, they rarely make it past the second rounds and Gefle lost to Llanelli last year. Hardly unbeatable.

I suppose having a winter season makes things harder, but with the right preperation that problem can be solved. I personally think more teams from Wales and Northern ireland should play each other in pre-season. The standard seems to be pretty similar and it would be better than playing lower league sides as preperation.

In my opinion, if Linfield are focused and on form they can absolutely beat Elfsborg. It will be close, but I feel they can be beaten.

I don't think we'll definately lose, I just think that because of any decent match practise, we wont be sharp enough to erradicate silly mistakes. Silly mistakes has cost linfield in most of our seasons.

Their has been 4 or 5 occasions in the last 10 years that Linfield should have progressed, but we either give a way a stupid free kick, or we miss penalties or we miss kick for the opposition to capitalise on.

Hopefully DJ has got his preperations spot on, but IMO it seems very lacklustre at best.

**ifk101** · 16/07/2007, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by Cymro

In my opinion, if Linfield are focused and on form they can absolutely beat Elfsborg. It will be close, but I feel they can be beaten.

Elfsborg are a full-time professional side that halfway through their season. Linfield are a predominately part-time club that's played 2(/3 maybe) pre-season games. Elfsborg's budget is 10-15 times the size of Linfield's. They're already in Belfast preparing for the game and no Irish League club side has ever beaten Swedish opposition.

So yes - it will be close.

**OneRedArmy** · 16/07/2007, 1:57 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Elfsborg's budget is 10-15 times the size of Linfield's.

Is there really that much of a difference? I would presume Linfield have by far the biggest budget in the IL.

Linfield's achilles heel in Europe will always be their lack of match practice, particularly given so many of the sides in the early rounds play a summer season and will be at full tilt.

At least none of the team appear to have gone on holiday this year.

**LeixlipRed** · 16/07/2007, 2:01 PM

On Suduva, they finished 5th last year in Lit. Vetra finished 3rd. Shels played Vetra last year and they were a shockingly bad side. So dungannon might not embarrass themselves there

**ifk101** · 16/07/2007, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Is there really that much of a difference? I would presume Linfield have by far the biggest budget in the IL.

Linfield's achilles heel in Europe will always be their lack of match practice, particularly given so many of the sides in the early rounds play a summer season and will be at full tilt.

At least none of the team appear to have gone on holiday this year.

Little exaggeration on my part but AFAIK their budget is around SEK 65 million which is about 7 million euros.