Europa Conference League tips: five selections for this week's ties

We are not yet in August and 30 teams have already seen their European dreams ended after defeat in the first qualifying round of the Conference League. Let’s take a look at some of the second-round first legs taking place this week.

Botev Plovdiv vs APOEL

Wednesday 20 July, 5pm

APOEL won seven consecutive Cypriot titles between 2011 and 2019, but they have not finished on top of the pile for three years now. They fell as low as eighth in a 14-team division in 2020/21, and while they were able to battle back to finish as runners-up last season, APOEL finished seven points adrift of the summit.

Botev Plovdiv of Bulgaria may therefore consider their upcoming opponents to be eminently beatable, particularly in the home leg (which will take place at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, almost 100 miles away from their usual home ground). Yet APOEL still have more quality in the ranks than Botev, and they showed last term that they are on the rise again.

Recommended bet: APOEL @ 2.14

BATE Borisov vs Konyaspor

Thursday 21 July, 7pm

The winners of the Belarussian top flight enter Champions League qualifying, and that was the prize BATE Borisov were chasing last time out. Yet they never really got close to the champions, Shakhtyor Soligorsk, and will have to make do with Europe’s tertiary competition instead.

Konyaspor, who celebrated their 100th anniversary last month, were a surprise package in the Turkish Super Lig in 2021/22, finishing third. They are the heavy favourites to win this tie, but Belarus is not an easy country to go to and BATE could cause them one or two problems on home turf.

Recommended bet: Both teams to score @ 1.95

The Europa Conference League second round ties begin this week, with Swiss side Young Boys one of the biggest sides in the competition 

FK Liepaja vs Young Boys

Thursday 21 July, 2pm

Unlike many of the teams taking part in this second qualifying round, Young Boys are a household name around the continent. They participated in the group stage of the Champions League last term, even registering a famous victory over Manchester United. 

Things did not go quite so well domestically, with Young Boys only managing a third-place finish in the Swiss top flight. That is why they are in the Europa Conference League instead, but this tie is unlikely to cause them much difficulty.

Latvian side Liepaja have never made it beyond the second qualifying round of a European competition, and they are unlikely to do so here. This should be a comfortable afternoon for Young Boys. 

Recommended bet: Young Boys to win and over 3.5 goals @ 2.46

Lech Poznan vs Dinamo Batumi

Thursday 21 July, 4pm

All of the other ties are from the ‘main path’ of Europa Conference League qualifying, whereas this match-up is one of eight in the ‘Champions path’. Lech Poznan and Dinamo Batumi won the Polish and Georgian leagues respectively last season, and both have dropped into this competition after falling out of Champions League qualifying.

That was a disappointment for Lech in particular, but the Polish champions will feel they have a decent chance of going far in the Conference League. Dinamo Batumi will simply hope the tie is still alive at the end of the first leg.

Recommended bet: Lech Poznan to win to nil @ 2.9

Basel vs Crusaders

Thursday 21 July, 5pm

A dramatic 4-3 aggregate triumph over Bruno’s Magpies in the first qualifying round, means Crusaders are still flying the flag for Northern Ireland in this competition. Their reward for that win is perhaps the toughest second-round tie possible, against opponents who reached the knockout stage of the Conference League in its inaugural campaign.

Put simply, there is little chance of Crusaders avoiding a thumping here. It will be a case of damage limitation from the visitors to Switzerland, but even that might not be enough.

Recommended bet: Basel -3.5 Asian handicap @ 2.94

Recommended bets

APOEL @ 2.14

BATE/Konyaspor BTTS @ 1.95

Young Boys/over 3.5 @ 2.46

Lech to nil @ 2.9

Basel -3.5 handicap @ 2.94