Newtown AFC play host to Spartak Trnava in the second leg of their Europa Conference League second round qualifying tie on Thursday.
The hosts have a heavy task ahead of them as they look to overturn a 4-1 deficit from the first leg in Slovakia last week.
Newtown have never competed beyond the qualifying rounds of European competition, and will now have a little choice but to attack from the outset at Latham Park on Thursday.
After trailing to Bamidele Yusuf’s 17th-minute strike, Newtown fought back after a goalkkeeping blunder by Dominik Tamac allowed Henry Cowans to snatch the ball off him before slotting into an empty net.
However, Yusuf completed a first half hat-trick, firstly cutting inside and calmly bending the ball around Newtown goalkeeper Dave Jones, before the English stopper’s poor clearance allowed Yusuf to be played in behind.
Once again, the Nigerian did not disappoint in front of goal, with his combination of composure and pace proving too much for the Welsh side.
Having reached the semi-final of the European Cup in 1968 before progressing to the Europa League group stage in the 2018-19 campaign, the trip to Wales should be little more than going through the motions for Spartak Trnava.
While Michal Gasparik will be keen to avoid complacency within the squad, he will be completely aware the hard work in this tie has already been done after a solid performance last week.
With several internationals in the Spartak Trnava squad, including North Macedonia forward Milan Ristovski who has featured in an international competition for his country, there is absolutely no doubt the direction in which the tie should go.
However, should Gasparik find his side a goal down early on away from home, then they could find themselves in a position of bother if the do not keep their composure.
Newtown AFC vs Spartak Trnava head to head
The two teams have previously met on just one occasions in the first leg of their Europa Conference League second round qualifying tie, where Spartak Trnava claimed a 4-1 home victory.
Spartak Trnava 4-1 Newtown 21/07/22
Newtown AFC latest home form
Newtown have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their four most recent matches. They defeated HB Torshavn 2-1 in their last home game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded six.
Newtown 1-2 Penybont 22/03/22
Newtown 2-1 Flint Town United 02/04/22
Newtown 1-0 Caemarfon Town 09/04/22
Newtown 0-2 The New Saints 18/04/22
Newtown (P)2-1 HB 14/07/22
Newtown AFC latest away form
Newtown have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their five most recent matches. They lost 4-1 to Spartak Trnava in their last away game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored two goals and conceded seven.
Bala Town 1-0 Newtown 15/04/22
Flint Town United 1-1 Newtown 23/04/22
Linfield 0-0 Newtown 25/06/22
HB 1-0 Newtown 07/07/22
Spartak Trnava 4-1 Newtown 21/07/22
Spartak Trnava latest home form
Spartak Trnava lost 2-1 to Dukla Banska Bystrica in their last home game in the league.. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their previous nine matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded four.
Spartak Trnava 5-1 Petrzalka 18/06/22
Spartak Trnava 0-0 Banik Ostrava 08/07/22
Spartak Trnava 2-0 Zlate Moravce 16/07/22
Spartak Trnava 4-1 Newtown 21/07/22
Spartak Trnava 1-2 Dukla Banska Bystrica 24/07/22
Spartak Trnava latest away form
Spartak Trnava have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 3-3 with Dinamo Zagreb in their last away game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded 10.
Slovan Bratislava 1-2(E) Spartak Trvana 08/05/22
Zilina 1-2 Spartak Trnava 14/05/22
Maribor 2-2 Spartak Trnava 22/06/22
Partizan 3-0 Spartak Trnava 28/06/22
Dinamo Zagreb 3-3 Spartak Trnava 01/07/22
Newtown AFC news
Although they lost heavily to their opponents last week, head coach Hughes could retain the same XI who he fielded in Slovakia.
That means there will continue to be plenty of emphasis on the dynamic Henry Cowans to support the front two from midfield in the prefered 3-5-2 formation of his manager.
Spartak Trnava news
Spartak Trnava are likely to take to the pitch without the services of forward Kazeem Bolaji due to injury, while the rest of the squad that started last week are likely to feature here.
Goalscorers Ivan and Yusuf should continue to flank Milan Ristovski in a three-man attack on Thursday.
Prediction and Odds
There is a significant gap between these two teams in terms of quality and the Slovakians should have far too much for their opponents once again.
The goal threat of Ivan and Yusuf could prove too much for the Welsh side to handle, and we expect the visitors to get the job done.
Odds: 1 2.32 X 2.10 2 1.88
Probable outcomes
Newtown 0-1 Spartak Trnava
Newtown 0-2 Spartak Trnava
Newtown 1-2 Spartak Trnava
Newtown 1-3 Spartak Trnava
Newtown 1-4 Spartak Trnava
