MX23RW : Thursday, May 11 21:54:36| >> :600:16513885:16513885:
[monks data]
Europa Conference League | Playoffs | 1st Leg
Aug 18, 2022 at 6pm UK
Daugavas Stadiona, Riga
RFS
2 - 2
Linfield
Friesenbichler (89'), Lipuscek (90+6')
Lipuscek (90+6')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Fallon (38'), Cooper (71')
Cooper (42'), Newberry (90+6')

Preview: Rigas Futbola Skola vs. Linfield - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between Rigas Futbola Skola and Linfield, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rigas Futbola Skola welcome Linfield to the Daugavas Stadion in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifying tie on Thursday.

The home side saw off Hibernians in the previous stage of the qualifiers, while the visitors are only turning their attention to the Conference League having seen their Europa League dreams ended by FC Zurich.


Match preview

Rigas Futbola Skola eased past the challenge of Tukums 2000 on Sunday afternoon to breeze through into the semi-finals of the Viensviens Football Cup

Viktors Morozs's men opened the scoring through Bill but were pegged back by Ibrahima Sow early in the second half, after which goals from Emerson Santana, Deniss Rakels and Andrej Ilic got the job done.

Just before that, the Latvian champions secured a 3-1 victory away at Hibernians to claim a 4-2 victory on aggregate off the back of a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg.

Coming up next for them is a huge step towards securing European football for the first time ever following unsuccessful attempts in each of the last three seasons.

Having recently seen their 10-game unbeaten streak on home turf come to an end, Thursday's visitors will be keen to make it up to their supporters with a dominant display here.

Linfield opened their domestic campaign with a huge bang courtesy of a resounding 4-0 triumph over Portadown at the Windsor Park on Sunday.

Goals from Kirk Millar, Ethan Devine, Eetu Vertainen and Andrew Clarke got the job done for David Healy's men in the Northern Irish capital.

This came off the back of three consecutive defeats for the Blues - the most recent of which was a 3-0 thrashing by Zurich in the return leg of the sides' Europa League qualifier.

With 11 goals conceded across their last two European involvement on the road, Thursday's visitors will need to be wary of being on the receiving end of another continental embarrassment away from home.

Rigas Futbola Skola Europa Conference League form:
  • D
  • W

Rigas Futbola Skola form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W

Linfield form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W


Team News

Emerson Santana found the back of the net within minutes of coming on as a substitute last time out, and the Brazilian could be rewarded with a place in the starting XI here.

With four goals in his last four games for Rigas Futbola Skola, 22-year-old Andrej Ilic is definitely one to look out for in Thursday's contest.

Kirk Millar was shown a red card in his last continental affair away from home, and the forward will be aiming to have a more meaningful impact for his team this time.

Andrew Clarke will be pushing to get the nod right from the off in this one, as the forward has made just one starting appearance since the turn of the year.

Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:
Steinbors; Mares, Lipuscek, Jagodinskis, Vlalukin; Santana, Panic, Jatta, Friesenbichler; Ilic, Kouadio

Linfield possible starting lineup:
Johns; Clarke, Roscoe, Newberry, Finlayson; Palmer, Mulgrew, Pepper; Cooper, McKee, McClean


SM words green background

We say: Rigas Futbola Skola 2-1 Linfield

Both teams will be pushing to steal a march on each other here ahead of the return leg next week. We are anticipating an enthralling affair here with the home side just about fending off the challenge of their visitors.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:492428:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7714:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: RFS vs Linfield

Rigas Futbola Skola
74.4%
Draw
7.0%
Linfield
18.6%
43
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Rochdale's Scott Hogan and Leeds' Jason Pearce battle for the ball during their FA Cup third round match on January 4, 2013
Read Next:
Reading 'lining up bid for Scott Hogan'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City34264489315882
2Arsenal35256483394481
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341811561293265
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd3419694941863
5Liverpool35188967422562
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs35176126457757
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331671063451855
8Aston Villa35166134643354
9Brentford35121495245750
10Fulham35146155049148
11Chelsea34119143439-542
12Crystal Palace351010153546-1140
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35117173050-2040
14Bournemouth35116183767-3039
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham35107183850-1237
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3589183465-3133
17Everton35711173253-2132
18Leicester CityLeicester3586214964-1530
19Leeds UnitedLeeds3579194469-2530
20Southampton3566233164-3324

Ted Lasso creative

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!