Linfield vs Rigas Futbola Skola Match Analysis and Prediction

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A place in the Europa Conference League group stage is on the cards for the winner between Linfield and Rigas Futbola Skola when the teams meet on Thursday at Windsor Park.

After the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg, it means that there is still a lot of play ahead of the return fixture in Belfast.

Linfield maintained their prefect start to the new league campaign through a 3-1 victory over Newry City at the Showgrounds on Sunday.

David Healy’s side went two goals ahead courtesy of Eetu Vertainen’s double before Lorcan Forde pulled one back, only for Andrew Clarke to put the game beyond doubt 30 minutes into the second half.

That result has left the Northern Irish champions sitting in third place in the league table, three points adrift of league leaders Coleraine, who have played one game more.

Coming up next is the final step towards booking a return to European football off the back of three consecutive playoff disappointments.

With shutouts in 11 of their 17 home games since the turn of the year, Healy’s side will feel confident of putting on another solid defensive display in front of their supporters.

Meanwhile, Rigas Futbola Skola were held to a 2-2 draw in their Optibet Virsliga encounter with Valmeira at the NSB Arkadja on Sunday.

Viktors Morozs’ side broke the deadlock through Emerson Santana but were surprised by goals from Djibril Gueye and Masaki Murata after which Elvis Stuglis levelled the scores in the final minute of normal time.

With 53 points from their 25 league matches so far, Rigas FS remain in third place and eight points adrift of the top of the table.

Off the back of three consecutive away victories, Morozs’ side now seek what would undoubtedltly one of the biggest win ever.

Linfield vs Rigas Futbola Skola head to head

The two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifying playoff-round tie, where they played out a 2-2 draw.

Rigas FS 2-2 Linfield 18/08/22

Linfield latest home form

Linfield have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Portadown 4-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded four.

Linfield (E)2-0 The New Saints 13/07/22

Linfield 1-0 Bodo/Glimt 19/07/22

Linfield 0-2 Zurich 04/08/22

Linfield 0-2 Crusaders 06/08/22

Linfield 4-0 Portadown 14/08/22

Linfield latest away form

Linfield have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just two of their seven most recent matches. They defeated Newry City 3-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded 14.

Loughgall 0-2 Linfield 23/07/22

Bodo/Glimt 8-0 Linfield 27/07/22

Zurich 3-0 Linfield 11/08/22

Riga FS 2-2 Linfield 18/08/22

Newry City 1-3 Linfield 21/08/22

Rigas Futbola Skola latest home form

Rigas FS have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with Valmiera in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded eight.

Rigas FS 0-0 Auda 24/07/22

Rigas FS 1-1 Hibernian 04/08/22

Rigas FS 2-3 Super Nova 07/08/22

Rigas FS 2-2 Linfield 18/08/22

Rigas FS 2-2 Valmiera 21/08/22

Rigas Futbola Skola latest away form

Rigas FS have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having won each of their four most recent matches. They defeated Tukums 4-1 in their last away game in the Latvian Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just four.

HJK 1-0 Rigas FS 06/07/22

Metta 1-3 Rigas FS 16/07/22

Tukums 0-2 Rigas FS 30/07/22

Hibernian 1-3 Rigas FS 11/08/22

Tukums 1-4 Rigas FS 14/08/22

Linfield news

Having scored in two straight appearances as a substitute for Linfield, Andrew Clarke is likely to be finally rewarded with a place in the starting lineup on Thursday.

Leading goalscorer Eetu Vertainen had to make do with a second-half cameo in the first leg but he is expected back in the XI.

Rigas Futbola Skola news

Emerson Santana has been directly involved in three goals in his last three appearances for Rigas Futbola Skola and he is one to look out for.

Elvis Stuglis will be pushing to get the nod from the outset this time around after coming off the bench to good effect last time out.

Prediction and Odds

Now in the last step to preserve their European ambitions, both sides are expected to be up for this contest which should make for an entertaining affair.

Linfield have struggled in European competition in recent occasions, so we fancy the visitors to come out on top and progress to the group stage.

Odds: 1 2.32 X 2.05 2 2.20