Sligo Rovers must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Fimleikafelag Hafnarfjordur if they want to advance to the next stage of UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying.
Following a narrow win for the Icelandic outfit in the first last, the two sides meet again at the Showgrounds on Thursday.
Full-time: FH Hafnarfjordur 1-0 Sligo Rovers The #bitored fall to a one goal loss. Rovers had the better of the play but conceded late on. Bolger was sent off for two yellowsThe second leg takes place next week in The Showgrounds. Get your virtual pass https://t.co/wbpoRfD12s pic.twitter.com/UFwHOg12Uc— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) July 8, 2021
Full-time: FH Hafnarfjordur 1-0 Sligo Rovers The #bitored fall to a one goal loss. Rovers had the better of the play but conceded late on. Bolger was sent off for two yellowsThe second leg takes place next week in The Showgrounds. Get your virtual pass https://t.co/wbpoRfD12s pic.twitter.com/UFwHOg12Uc
Despite seeing less of the ball and recording fewer shots than Sligo last week, Hafnarfjordur managed to come away from the first leg with a slender advantage.
Sligo even had a man sent off midway through the second half, yet HF failed to break the deadlock until the 85th minute.
As things stand, Liam Buckley’s side are one of three teams locked on 38 points at the top of the League of Ireland Premier League Division.
The have only lost three of their league matches this season, picking up 11 wins and five draws along the way.
Having lost the first leg last week, Sligo have suffered three defeats in the previous six games in all competitions (two wins, one draw).
However, it is worth pointing out that Sligo have won seven of their last 11 matches in all competitions (one draw, three losses).
Over in Iceland, Hafnarfjordur have made a poor start to their domestic season – winning just three of their opening 11 league games.
Logi Olfasson’s men booked their spot in Europa Conference League qualifying with a second-place finish last term, but things aren’t going to plan this year.
In all competitions, FH have only managed to win five of their 13 games this season (three draws, five losses).
Head-to-head: Sligo and Hafnarfjordur met for the very first time last week, meaning we only have one previous match to take into consideration.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Sligo will be disappointed to have come away from the first leg without anything to show for their efforts.
Team news: Sligo will be without suspended midfielder Greg Bolger on Thursday following his red card in the first leg.
As for Hafnarfjordur, striker and club captain Matthias Vilhjalmsson is an injury doubt for the second leg.
Sligo gave a good account of themselves last week, so the Irish side will be confident of picking up a positive result this time around.
Forebet predicts that Sligo will register a low-scoring victory on Thursday, with extra-time and/or penalties likely to be needed to decide the outcome.