Lincoln Red Imps will be hoping an uptick in domestic form can help them secure their first points in this league phase of the UEFA Conference League against perfect starters Hajduk Split.
Match News and Current Form
The Conference League yet again hasn’t been kind to Lincoln Red Imps, who began their league phase endeavours with a 2-1 defeat away to Norway’s Brann before being thoroughly outclassed 4-1 at home by Dutch side FC Twente. That means the Red Imps have lost 11 of their 14 group stage/league phase Conference League matches (W2, D1), but there’s encouragement in that those three games without defeat have all come within their last four home matches. Around their league phase defeats this season are eight wins in nine competitive games for the men from Gibraltar (D1), who’ve proved they can be dangerous by scoring eight goals without reply in their last two fixtures (W2).
Hajduk are in dreamland having won their opening two Conference League matches 2-1 and 1-0 against Ajax and Thun respectively, with this being the first time they’ve started a major European campaign with back-to-back wins since the 1982/83 UEFA Cup. Hajduk had just one win across their 25 games in major European competition before the league phase commenced, and judging by their recent form, Gonzalo García’s men won’t have to wait long for their next. The Whites have lost just one of their last 18 matches in all competitions (W14, D3), while scoring 2+ goals in six of their previous eight away matches proves they’re dangerous on the road.
Head-to-Head History
Lincoln Red Imps’ 1-1 draw with Rijeka last year is the only competitive meeting between Gibraltarian and Croatian sides.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Lincoln Red Imps have never kept a clean sheet in any of their 14 games in major European competition.
There have been goals in both halves in four of Lincoln Red Imps' last five home matches.
Five of Hajduk’s six European matches this season featured over 2.5 goals.
Hajduk received over 1.5 yellow cards in each of their last eight games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Lincoln Red Imps' 42-year-old veteran Nano has a habit of making bright starts, with his last four goals all serving as his team's opener in the first half. Hajduk will seek inspiration from weekend scorer Abdoulie Sanyang, as he’s now extended his winning streak when scoring to seven games.
Lincoln Red Imps seem to have a fully fit squad at their disposal, while Hajduk will be monitoring the fitness of Dalisson de Almeida and Dario Maresic.
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Betting Analysis
Lincoln Red Imps will want to give a good account of themselves as heavy underdogs, making both teams to score a viable betting market here.
Author: Peter Stavrinou