Glentoran vs RFS prediction, preview & betting tips – 09/07/2026

Despite the World Cup reaching the business end in North America, UEFA Conference League qualifying is already underway, with another busy round of first-leg ties taking place on Thursday evening.

The opening qualifying round is spread across the next fortnight before the return fixtures are played next week.

In this preview, we take a closer look at Glentoran's clash with Latvian runners-up RFS.

Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.

Glentoran vs RFS key stats

• Glentoran have won just one of their five pre-season friendlies, drawing two and losing two.
• Viktors Morozs' side sit top of the Latvian Higher League with 56 points from 22 matches.
• Darko Lemajić has scored 11 league goals this season despite making only nine starts.
• Glentoran have progressed from just three of their 20 UEFA qualifying ties since the turn of the century.
• No team has conceded fewer than RFS' 16 league goals this season.

Glentoran vs RFS preview: Who will head to Riga in the driving seat?

Glentoran vs RFS — Tale of the Tape

Glentoran	vs	RFS
N/A (NIFL Premiership)	Position	1st (Latvian Higher League)
N/A	Points	56
N/A	Goals For	54
N/A	Goals Against	16
N/A	Clean Sheets	12
N/A	Home / Away Rank	2nd / 1st

Although this is the opening qualifying round, both sides know there is still a long road ahead if they are to reach the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

The winners will have to negotiate another three qualifying rounds before securing a place in the league phase, something Glentoran have never achieved but RFS have become accustomed to in recent seasons.

Declan Devine's side qualified for Europe after finishing third in last season's NIFL Premiership, earning a place in Conference League qualifying for the third time in six years.

Despite regularly competing in UEFA qualifiers, the Glens have found it difficult to make significant progress.

They have failed to advance beyond the opening qualifying round in each of their previous two attempts and have not featured in the main draw of a UEFA competition since facing Marseille in the Champions League during the 1992-93 season.

RFS, on the other hand, arrive in Belfast with far more recent European pedigree.

The Latvian champions became just the second club from their country to reach the group stage of a major UEFA competition in 2022 before going one step further in 2024-25 by qualifying for the Europa League, where they famously defeated Ajax.

That experience could prove invaluable on Thursday.

With the Latvian domestic campaign running from March until November, RFS head into this tie with a significant fitness advantage over their opponents.

Morozs' men have lost just one of their last five matches, sit at the top of the Virsliga and boast both the league's strongest defence and second-best attacking record.

Glentoran's starting XI is difficult to predict after several players were rotated throughout pre-season, although they will definitely be without highly-rated teenager Mason Ayre following his move to Nottingham Forest.

RFS, meanwhile, are expected to name an unchanged side after Saturday's 1-1 draw away at Auda extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

Glentoran vs RFS form guide & betting tips

Floriana vs Shamrock Rovers — Last 5 Form Guide

Glentoran	vs	RFS
LDWLD	Form	LWWWD
13	Goals For	13
11	Goals Against	4
N/A	Champions League qualification	N/A

Whispers predicts: Glentoran 1-2 RFS

RFS possess considerably more European experience than Glentoran and arrive in Northern Ireland in the middle of their domestic campaign, giving them a clear advantage in terms of match sharpness.

The Latvian champions have scored 13 goals across their last five matches, including a 6-0 victory, and should create enough chances to leave Belfast with a narrow first-leg lead.

Darko Lemajić has found the net seven times in his last six appearances and, provided he returns from injury, the Serbian striker could prove the difference against the Glens.

📈 FK Vardar vs. KuPS — Whispers' Tips

> RFS to win at at 13/20 | Likelihood: Possible

> Over 2.5 goals at 8/13 | Likelihood: Probable

> 1-2 exact scoreline at 16/1 | Likelihood: Unlikely

europa conference predictions