Champions League & Europa League qualifying match previews & tips

From 4.30pm Wednesday

League of Ireland leaders Dundalk were held to a 2-2 draw at Derry on Friday, bringing an end to a nine-match winning streak, but they can bounce back with a home victory over Latvian champions FC Riga in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier at Oriel Park.

Dundalk lost eight successive European ties between 1981 and 2002 but no longer feel an inferiority complex in continental competition.

They reached the Europa League group stage in 2016 and look worthy favourites to establish a first-leg lead over Riga FC, who were formed in 2014.

Riga have had swift success domestically, winning promotion to the top flight in 2015 and achieving a league and cup double in 2018.

But they represent a weak league – Latvia is ranked 40th on the latest coefficients, two places below Ireland – and are up against a team with much more European experience.

Dundalk overcame Baltic opposition at the same stage of last season's Champions League qualifying, defeating Estonian side Levadia Tallinn 3-1 on aggregate.

They have triumphed in 11 of their last 12 home fixtures and the chances of another win are strong enough to justify a wager at a shade of odds-on.

Kazakhstan side Astana have contested the Europa League group stage for the last three seasons and their success should be an inspiration for domestic rivals FC Tobol, who begin their Europa League qualifying campaign with a trip to Luxembourg side Jeunesse Esch

FC Tobol are second in the Kazakh league but have two games in hand on leaders Astana, who are level on 38 points.

They are a rising force and their team includes Georgian international midfielders Jaba Kankava and Nika Kvekveskiri, plus Belarus international winger Mikhail Gordeichuk.

They should be too strong for Jeunesse Esch, who were third in Luxembourg last term.

Recommendations
Dundalk
1pt 10-11 general
FC Tobol
2pts 3-4Betway

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport