Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker:
Getting their European Conference League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday evening, Dundalk will travel out to Gibraltar when they meet the Magpies.
Magpies
Starting with the hosts, while the Magpies might have been crowned Gibraltar Cup champions back in April following a nail-biting penalties victory against Lincoln, Alfonso Cortijo’s side struggled to find much stability at the back end of the 2023 campaign. Failing to pick up any momentum last week as they signed off their pre-season preparations with a routine 3-0 drumming against Championship outfit Preston, the one-time Malaga coach saw his side win just a pair of their final six Premier Division showdowns back in April. Left disappointed after having to settle for another bronze medal finish last season, the Magpies will be more than aware that they face a stern challenge in midweek. Crashing out of the Conference League qualifiers last year following a 3-1 second-leg defeat at the hands of Crusaders, Cortijo’s men are rightfully seen as an underdog pick here.
Team News
Impressing last season after making the move to Gibraltar and notching five strikes in just his eight Premier Division appearances, former Birmingham schoolboy Jack Storer should spearhead the Magpies’ charge on Thursday evening.
Gibraltar international shot-stopper Jaylan Hankins will start between the sticks here. Finding the net in the Gibraltar Cup final against Lincoln back in April, one-time Sunderland starlet Dan Bent will start in the middle of the park in midweek.
Dundalk
As for the visitors, last seen suffering a downbeat second-half collapse away at Bohemians as they eventually slumped to a 3-2 defeat, Dundalk will certainly be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous six domestic appearances, the Irish giants will feel that they have been handed a favourable draw on Thursday evening. Signing off June with a stellar 2-0 victory against reigning Irish champions Shamrock Rovers, Stephen O’Donnell’s men will now be hoping to find some much-needed stability at the back. It should be highlighted, on a run that stems all the way back to May 6th, the Lilywhites have mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 11 showdowns across all competitions. Likewise, including that action-packed 3-2 loss against the Bohs last time out, Dundalk have also lost four of their last six contests away from Oriel Park.
Team News
Continuing on what has been a free-scoring run on either side of June’s international break and notching 10 Premier Division strikes this season, 31-year-old Patrick Hoban will certainly spearhead Dundalk’s attack on Thursday evening.
Gibraltar international defender Louie Annesley will make a return to his home country in midweek and should once again be partnered with Hayden Muller at the heart of O’Donnel’s defence. 25-year-old Darragh Leahy will be hoping to keep his spot at right-back here.
Key Factors to Consider
