- Jablonec have won 3 of their last 5 games, losing the other 2.
- Rigas Futbola Skola have won 4 of their last 5, drawing the other.
Tactical mismatch could influence the game
Jablonec are favourites at 1/2 for Thursday's UEFA Conference League qualifier against Latvian outfit Rigas Futbola Skola but there is a massive gap in form between the two sides, with the visitors in much better shape overall.
Lubos Kozel's side have won 3 of their last 5 and lost the other 2, following up back-to-back wins over Sigma Olomouc and NK Varazdin. Kozel sets up his team in a three-at-the-back system with good width from the wing-backs and his controlled-aggression approach has seen a useful uptick in form of late.
Jablonec's overall form in all-competitions is 3 wins, 1 draw and 6 defeats in the last 10, however, whereas Rigas FS are flying with 8 wins and 2 draws from their previous 10 games.
RFS are rock-solid away
Viktors Morozs has his players looking organised and streetwise in their back-four system, which is perfect for the pragmatism that knockout European football demands. Rigas FS are undefeated in 5 away from home in all competitions (4 wins and 1 draw) and have scored 1.40 goals per game while conceding just 0.40 on average.
The tactical difference between these two sides will make the wings and dead ball situations key areas of battle on Thursday. Jablonec will look to control the match, overload the flanks and squeeze chances from set plays while Rigas FS will sit compact and break vertically.
Value is with Rigas FS
The odds here suggest Jablonec are clear favourites, but I think Rigas Futbola Skola's experience and away resilience could keep it closer than the odds suggest.
Jablonec have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their 6 home games in all-competitions this season and have bagged nine goals in their last six at home, so they do have a puncher's chance here. However, a bet on both teams to score at 17/20 looks the best option, as the hosts will attack and the visitors will get opportunities on the counterattack.
