- Glentoran have been poor of late with two defeats in their last two (L2).
- Rigas Futbola Skola are in fine form with three wins in their last five.
Two different teams make for an interesting game
Glentoran FC are the home side for this UEFA Conference League first-qualifying-round tie, but the fact that Rigas Futbola Skola come into the match as 1.63 favourites tells you everything you need to know about the bookies' perception of this one.
Glentoran are 4.65 to win and the draw is at 4.0, so this is an upset in the making on paper and Glentoran boss Declan Devine will have his work cut out to get this one right on Thursday.
He's been at the helm since April 2024 and has fashioned Glentoran into a compact, disciplined unit who will sit in a low-to-mid block, stay tight, win second balls and nick chances when they can from counters and set pieces. They're not a high-risk, high-reward team but they're functional and have good momentum behind them.
Rigas Futbola Skola are a different beast entirely. Viktors Morozs has been at the club since February 2020 and his team are drilled, they're aggressive and they are very hard to live with. They play at a much higher tempo than Glentoran, pressing vertically and hunting turnovers in the advanced positions.
RFS should be up for this
This clash of styles makes the game for a typical press-versus-block battle and one that RFS will need to force the errors from Glentoran. The Northern Irish side will hope to stay solid and pinch a goal when they can, but they are a little out of sorts after a 0-0 draw at home to Larne, a 6-2 loss at Coleraine and a 4-0 loss at the weekend to Kilmarnock.
RFS have been in good form coming into this contest, recording a 3-1 home win over BFC Daugava Daugavpils before a 1-1 home draw with FK Auda. They are 8-1-1 in their last ten in all competitions, while Glentoran are 4-3-3 over the same period.
RFS have been more productive on the road, winning four and losing one of their five away trips this term in all competitions, while Glentoran have won two, drawn three and lost two of seven home matches.
Go with the visitors
RFS are the team in form and there's no denying that the edge on this occasion will go with the favourites. Glentoran can sit in compact, they can be difficult to break down, but RFS will nick it and at 1.63 they are the best bet.
It's not going to be a stroll for the visitors and Both Teams To Score - Yes is also appealing at 1.61, while Over 2.5 Goals at 1.62 looks a good bet in the total goals market.
