Preview: The New Saints vs FC Differdange 03 - prediction, team news, lineups

On Wednesday, Cymru Premier winners The New Saints will play host to Luxembourg champions FC Differdange 03 in the first leg of their Conference League second qualifying round clash. 

The two clubs have both dropped down to the Conference League after they lost their respective ties in the first round of Champions League qualifying.

Match preview

TNS failed to make it past the Champions League first qualifying round for the third time in four seasons, after they fell agonisingly short in their recent meeting with Shkendija.

The Welsh champions played out a goalless affair in the home leg, before the second leg finished 1-1 in normal time, ensuring an extra 30 minutes was required to separate the two sides.

Unfortunately for TNS, their Champions League experience was ultimately cut short by Jack Bodenham’s 116th-minute own goal, allowing the North Macedonian side to progress via a 2-1 scoreline.

The Saints will have to quickly put that disappointment behind them, as they now turn their focus to reaching the Conference League main draw for the second straight season.

Last season, TNS dropped down from Champions League and Europa League qualifying, before they beat Panevezys in the Conference League playoff round to seal their spot in the league phase, where they endured a difficult time with five defeats in six games. 

They are now preparing to face a team from Luxembourg for the first time since losing 4-3 to Swift Hesperange in Conference League qualifying in 2023-24, knowing that a win would set up a third qualifying round tie against FCI Levadia or Iberia 1999.

Differdange are competing at this stage of Conference League qualifying for the third consecutive season after dropping down from the Champions League following a 4-2 defeat to Drita.

They fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in the home leg, before they fought back from two goals down to level the second leg at two goals apiece, only to concede another in stoppage time as they searched for a goal that would have sent the tie to extra time.

Differdange have now failed to win any of their previous nine European ties since they beat Bala Town in the first round of Europa League qualifying in 2015-16.

Perhaps, they can at least take confidence from the fact that the 4-3 aggregate victory against Bala was the last time they faced a Welsh side. 

After losing his first two games in charge, Pedro Silva will travel to Wales with hopes of claiming his first win since replacing his countryman Pedro Resende this summer.

However, that may be easier said than done for a club that has failed to win any of their last 13 European away matches since they recorded a 1-0 victory over Laci in 2013. 

The New Saints form (all competitions):

Differdange form (all competitions):

Team News

TNS are unable to call upon the services of Leo Smith, who is set for an extended period on the sidelines after he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the first leg against Shkendija. 

Kade Craig, who replaced Smith for the second leg, is set to retain his place in the backline, with Craig Harrison likely to stick with an unchanged lineup despite the narrow loss in North Macedonia. 

Summer signing Ben Wilson is set to make a third consecutive start, with the striker looking to open his goalscoring account for his new side.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the attacking trio of Edgar Pacheco, Arlindo Barbosa and Andre Mendy.

Silva is likely to use a back three for Wednesday’s contest, with Kevin D’Anzico, Theo Brusco and Juan Bedouret set to marshal the backline.

Meanwhile, summer signing Samir Hadji will retain his place in the forward line after scoring one goal in his first two appearances for the club.

The New Saints possible starting lineup:

Shepperd; Craig, McGahey, Bodenham, Redmond; Holden, Corness, D. Williams; J. Williams, Brobbel, Wilson

Differdange possible starting lineup:

Felipe; D’Anzico, Bedouret, Brusco; Franzoni, Bruninho, Pinto, Borges, Lempereur; Abreu, Hadji

We say: The New Saints 2-1 Differdange

TNS will recognise the importance of making home advantage count in Wednesday's first leg, and we think they will do just that by claiming a narrow victory over a club that have tended to struggle on their European travels. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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