Linfield crashed out in the play-off round of UEFA Conference League qualifying last season and they already have work to do in this first-round qualifier with Estonian outfit Nomme Kalju.
The Northern Irish side trail 1-0 after a cagey first leg at Parnu Rannastaadion but they will be hopeful of turning things around now armed with home advantage in Belfast on Thursday.
David Healy's outfit showed positive signs but were ultimately unable to take advantage of their chances, although they did beat Zalgiris and Víkingur Gota before bumping into Shamrock Rovers in last season’s competition.
Roko Vukusic scored the only goal of the game to give Nomme Kalju the lead and they sit third in their domestic standings so are clearly having some success.
But Linfield have more recent European experience to call upon and that sets up for an intriguing second-leg showdown in Belfast.
Linfield v Nomme Kalju Tips Summary
Best Bet - Linfield to qualify @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Linfield to win to nil @ 6/4
Bet Builder - Linfield to win, 1-3 total goals, & over 6 Linfield corners @ 3/1
Linfield v Nomme Kalju Prediction
Best Bet: Linfield to qualify @ 1/1
Although edged out 1-0 in the first leg in Estonia, Linfield should feel that they created enough to claim a positive result and they may be even more dominant in front of their own supporters.
Linfield restricted Nomme Kalju to just two shots on target in last Thursday’s narrow defeat and they forced 12 corners, showing extreme threat from set-pieces and crosses.
Despite both teams pushing right up until the final whistle, a leveller evaded Linfield, but they have won eight of their last 12 at home and the stats should be more exaggerated in their favour.
Nomme Kalju have won only three of their last six away outings in the Estonian top-flight and they may have to ride the wave on their trip to Northern Ireland.
Alternative Bet: Linfield to win to nil @ 6/4
Nomme Kalju broke the deadlock in last week’s tussle just after half-time with Vukusic converting Oleksandr Musolitin's corner, but that was one of only two shots on target for the Estonian outfit and there is a danger that they try to protect the lead that they have in Belfast.
That would be a strategy fraught with dangers, though, as Linfield should create plenty and have a deadly forward in Matthew Fitzpatrick, who scored 17 goals in 33 appearances in the NIFL Premiership last season.
Adam Frizzell and Kirk Millar are two dangerous players that will hope to create while they have a real aerial threat from set pieces.
Linfield should still be confident with the position that they find themselves in but will have to keep things tight as conceding would put them further on the back foot.
Linfield v Nomme Kalju Bet Builder Tip
Linfield to win
1-3 total goals
Over 6 Linfield corners
Pays 3/1
Linfield tend to be difficult to deter at home and in last season’s Conference League qualification campaign they won 2-0 when entertaining Lithuania’s Zalgiris and beat Víkingur Gota of the Faroe Islands by the same scoreline.
Given the way the first leg went, Linfield should be able to get their revenge, but it is likely to be another low-scoring encounter given seven of the visitors’ last 10 games have featured two or fewer goals.
Linfield racked up 12 corners in the first-leg loss and should be the side forcing the ascendancy.
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Key Match Stats
Linfield have won eight of their last 12 home games.
Nomme Kalju have won only three of their last six away matches.
Seven of Nomme Kalju’s last 10 matches have gone under 2.5 goals
Three of Nomme Kalju’s last six matches have ended in draws
Both teams have scored in only three of Linfield’s last seven games
Linfield have kept five clean sheets in their last 11 at home.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
