In their first qualifying round tie, Linfield and The New Saints meet at Windsor Park on Wednesday night with the aim of reaching the next stage of the Champions League with kickoff at 9:45 pm.
After last week’s 1-0 loss to The New Saints in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, Linfield’s hopes of progressing to the second round have taken a serious blow.
A goal from Ryan Brobbel in the second half separated the sides at Park Hall, and gives The Cymru Premier club a narrow advantage heading into Wednesday’s return fixture in Belfast.
Both Jordan Stewart and Stephen Fallon spurned late chances for the Blues, being denied by Saints goalkeeper Connor Roberts as the South Belfast side lost for the first time to opponents they have played three times before without defeat.
Linfield’s pre-season schedule continued at the weekend with a 2-1 win over Knockbreda FC, from whom long-serving coach David Healy signed young forward Ethan Devine back in January.
Head coach Anthony Limbrick, who led Linfield to the Northern Irish League Cup in May, has already gained experience of continental competition. His side advanced to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League last season, but lost to Czech club Viktoria Plzen on penalties. If they are to go further this year, they must repeat their first-leg performance this time around.
Linfield vs Saints Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other with hosts winless while visitors with one win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Knockbreda 1-2 Linfield
- Saints 1-0 Linfield
- Linfield 1-2 St. Mirren
- Linfield 0-0 Newtown
Away
- New Saints 1-0 Linfield
- Larne 2-0 New Saints
- New Saints 2-1 Cliftonville
- New Saints 3-2 Warrington
Linfield Team News
Healy will turn to Robbie McDaid for Wednesday’s game against Glentoran. The former Glentoran striker made his competitive debut for the Blues in last week’s match, and Healy will rely on the new signing to lead the line again at Windsor Park.
New Saints Team News
Meanwhile, TNS will again select Connor Roberts as their last line of defence, after the former Everton youth player starred in last Tuesday’s win. The club’s English striker, Declan McManus, has been named the 2021-22 Cymru Premier ‘Player of the Season’, with a total of 24 league goals; he will likely start up front again tonight.
Prediction and Odds
Linfield were denied by some sharp goalkeeping last Tuesday, but the support of the Windsor Park faithful can spur them on to score more than once in the second leg. It may ultimately take spot-kicks to decide which side progresses.
- Home Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Over 2.5
