July 8th UEFA Conference League - St Joseph's FC VS Cliftonville Prediction
UEFA Conference League - St Joseph's FC VS Cliftonville
Match Time:09-07-2025 00:00 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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St Joseph’s FC Review
St Joseph’s FC, the 2024-25 Gibraltar Football League runners-up, are entering the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round with a strong domestic campaign behind them, finishing second behind Lincoln Red Imps. Coached by Jeff Strasser, their 4-3-3 formation relies on Pablo Rodriguez (7 goals in 2024-25) and new signings Will Sanders, Geovanni Barba, and Hassane Amadou, with Alberto Lubango on loan from Europa FC. They average 2.0 goals per match at home but have been inconsistent against stronger sides, losing 0-1 to Lincoln Red Imps. A 6-0 win over Lions Gibraltar in their last competitive match (May 2025) shows attacking flair, but a two-month competitive break may affect sharpness. Their European record is modest, with a 1-1 aggregate draw against Larne FC in 2022-23 Champions League qualifiers (winning 1-0 away). No major injuries reported. Recent form: WLDWL.
Cliftonville FC Review
Cliftonville FC, winners of the 2024-25 NIFL Premiership playoff for Conference League qualification, are battle-tested in European qualifiers, having competed in three of the last four Conference League seasons. Coached by Jim Magilton, their 4-2-3-1 features Ryan Curran and Eric McWoods up top, with Rory Hale (4 assists) pulling strings in midfield. They average 2.0 goals per match, with a 2-0 win over Coleraine in May 2025 highlighting their form (W4-D1-L0 in last 5). However, their European away record is poor, losing all six recent qualifiers (e.g., 2-0 to Auda, 3-0 to Haugesund). New signings PJ Morrison (goalkeeper) and Conor Falls (forward) add depth, but injuries to Joe Gormley (questionable, calf) could limit options. Recent form: WWWWD.
Head to Head
No prior competitive meetings exist between St Joseph’s FC and Cliftonville FC, making this first leg on July 8, 2025, at Europa Point Stadium a fresh encounter. St Joseph’s drew 0-0 at home against Northern Irish side Larne FC in 2022-23 Champions League qualifiers, suggesting resilience against similar opposition. Cliftonville’s recent European qualifiers show a tendency for low-scoring games (3 of 6 with under 2.5 goals). Expected goals per match: ~2.3, with a 52.34% chance of over 2.5 goals based on both teams’ scoring trends.
Prediction: St Joseph’s FC 1-1 Cliftonville FC
The UEFA Conference League first qualifying round first leg on July 8, 2025, at Europa Point Stadium is a balanced clash. St Joseph’s home form (6-0 vs Lions Gibraltar) and attacking midfielder Pablo Rodriguez give them an edge, supported by a partisan Gibraltar crowd. Cliftonville’s strong recent form (4 wins in 5) and European experience (16 qualifying campaigns) make them dangerous, but their away struggles (0W in 6 qualifiers) and potential absence of Gormley tilt the scales. Bookmakers give Cliftonville a slight edge (odds ~2.25), but Sportytrader’s algorithm predicts a 37.34% chance of a draw. X posts note a cagey affair, with 1-1 as the most common scoreline (12.81% probability). St Joseph’s defensive record (1 goal conceded in 5 home games) suggests a tight game. Rodriguez likely to score for St Joseph’s, with Curran or McWoods responding for Cliftonville.
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