Back Brann boys for successful return to continental competition

Second qualifying round first leg
Cork City v AEK Larnaka, Premier Sports 7.45pm Thursday

Irish league leaders Cork City take a step up in class from Europa League first-round opponents Levadia Tallinn when they tackle AEK Larnaca.

Cork are slight underdogs to win the first leg but they are in exceptional form domestically with 19 wins and one draw from their 20 Irish top-flight matches.

However, AEK beat eventual Russian champions Spartak Moscow in last season's qualifiers and their squad contains plenty of Spaniards such as former Manchester City defender Javier Garrido and Juanma, who has been around the block twice.

Ivan Trickovski is the biggest goal threat but Cork have their own danger in Preston-bound Sean Maguire and this looks a tough betting heat, while Aberdeen take on Bosnian outfit Siroki Brijeg.

It has been a tough tournament for Scottish sides with Rangers and St Johnstone crashing out but Aberdeen are expected to restore a touch of pride. New signings Greg Tansey and Greg Stewart are available, although Nicky Maynard was not signed in time to be registered.

A better bet comes in getting with Brann, who return to European football following a nine-year absence, to mark their comeback in style away to Ruzomberok.

The Slovakian hosts barely deserved their 3-2 aggregate success over Vojvodina in the first round and this should be a tougher test.

Brann are second in Norway and lost only three of their 16 matches in the Eliteserien. They have also the same goal difference (plus 17) as leaders Rosenborg, who are perennial champions.

Recommendation
Brann draw no bet
1pt 8-11 general

Bet on Thursday's Europa League matches at Soccerbase.com