The odds seemed stacked against Connah's Quay this week despite the fact that the Welsh side have the home advantage on Thursday night and carry a one-goal lead into the second leg of their Conference League qualifier against Slovenia outfit, Bravo.
We're expecting another close game between these two sides but we are going against the odds and backing the hosts Connah's Quay to attain the result they need to progress through to the next round.
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Connah's Quay vs Bravo prediction:
Key Stats
- Under 2.5 goals have been produced in four of Bravo's last six matches.
- Connah's Quay have kept three clean sheets in their last six attempts.
- Bravo have failed to score in each of their last two competitive and non-competitive fixtures.
Correct score prediction: Connah's Quay 1-0 Bravo
Welsh side Connah's Quay claimed a 1-0 win in Slovenia last week and have only lost one of their last six outings in all competitions, while Bravo have failed to score in their last two games.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Connah's Quay the underdogs
- HOME: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 8/13 (1.62) – 61.9%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Bravo are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 61.9%, but following their first-leg heroics we make Connah's Quay the favourite.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Last five H2Hs: Second-ever meeting on Thursday
Connah's Quay's 1-0 win in Slovenia against Bravo was the first time these two sides have ever played against one another in any competition.
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 11/07/24
NK Bravo
Connah's Quay
Connah's Quay preview: Secured a fantastic result in Slovenia
English midfielder Ben Maher made himself a cult hero for the Connah's Quay fans after coming off the bench in the first leg against Bravo to score the game's only goal.
The Welsh Premier League side gave a great account of themselves in the first leg, defending manfully to secure a shock 1-0 win.
The bookmakers don't seem to think that Connah's Key will be able to build upon that first leg success but we believe in the Welsh side.
Predicted lineup: Ratcliffe (GK), Marriott, K. Edwards, Disney, Nash, Poole, N. Edwards, Franklin, Bratley, Williams & Kenny
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 18/07/24
L
NK Bravo
2
Connah's Quay
0
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 11/07/24
W
NK Bravo
0
Connah's Quay
1
UK Friendlies 03/07/24
W
Flint Mountain FC
3
Connah's Quay
4
Wales Cup 28/04/24
W
T.N.S.
1
Connah's Quay
2
Wales Premier League 21/04/24
L
T.N.S.
2
Connah's Quay
0
Bravo preview: Have lots of work to do in North Wales
The Bravo players and fans were left stunned following their team's 1-0 defeat at the Športni Park Šiška in Ljubljana last week.
Everyone had predicted a comfortable home win for the Slovenians but Connah's Quay upset the odds with a great defensive display that was capped off by a late goal from Ben Maher.
Bravo do probably have a better and more experienced team on paper but that first-leg result has put a big dent in their chances of progressing through to the next round of the Conference League qualifiers.
Predicted lineup: Orbanić (GK), Jakšić, Rodrigues, Španring, Jovan, Trdin, Selan, Poplatnik, Tučić, Pečar & Stanković
Slovenia Prva Liga 04/08/24
D
NK Maribor
1
NK Bravo
1
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 01/08/24
L
Zrinjski Mostar
3
NK Bravo
1
Slovenia Prva Liga 29/07/24
W
NK Primorje Ajdovscina
0
NK Bravo
4
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 25/07/24
W
Zrinjski Mostar
0
NK Bravo
1
Slovenia Prva Liga 21/07/24
L
NK Celje
2
NK Bravo
1
Player to watch – Ben Maher
Connah's Quay's Ben Maher proved to be the unlikely hero last week against Bravo, scoring the only goal of the game after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Maher, 28, has spent time at a number of Welsh clubs including Prestatyn Town, Rhyl, Caernarfon Town and Flint Town, only moved to Connah's Quay recently and has already made a name for himself.
Came off the bench to score the winner in Slovenia
It will be interesting to see if Maher starts against Bravo on Thursday or if his manager Neil Gibson decides to use him as an impact substitute, either way, we're excited to see how Connah's Quay's hero performs in the second leg.
