Champions League Preview: FH -v- Dundalk

FH HAFNARFJORDUR

FH welcome Dundalk FC to the Kaplakrikavollur, Hafnarfjordur tomorrow evening looking to progress to the lucrative Third Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League.

The Icelandic side hold the advantage in the tie having secured a 1-1 draw in Oriel Park last Wednesday night. Frontman Steven Lennon, a former Lilywhite, secured the crucial away goal following a defensive lapse by the home defence 76 minutes into a tense first leg encounter.

The champions of Iceland were without possession for lengthy spells in the opening match of the two-legged affair, although they were rarely troubled by a miss-firing Dundalk attack.

FH appear particularly strong in midfield. The Thor Vidarssons, Bjarni and David, alongside the ultra-impressive technical attributes of Icelandic international, Emil Palsson give their three-pronged attack the platform to build from.

Kassim Doumbia was a doubt ahead of last week’s encounter, however the central defender, pivotal to the rear-guard of Heimir Gudjonsson’s team made a timely return to first-team action, putting in a steadfast display in front of the capacity crowd present in Oriel Park.

Leaders of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild, FH drew 1-1 with ninth place ÍBV on Saturday having rested five of the 11 players who began the game in Ireland last week. Doumbia, Palsson, Bjarni Thor Vidarsson, Thorainn Ingi Valdimarsson and Steven Lennon were all left out.

The match did prove costly to FH though with experienced attacker Atli Gudnason sustaining a bad injury to his midriff - eventually being removed on a stretcher. Gudnason is almost certain to be absent for tomorrow evening’s crucial second-leg.

DUNDALK

Dundalk head to Iceland confident of progressing to the next round where they would be likely to face their conquerors from last season, BATE Borisov, should they overturn their away-goal deficit.

Stephen Kenny’s men were arguably the more accomplished outfit during an edgy first-leg affair in Oriel Park last Wednesday. On fire striker David McMillan fired the Lilywhites into a deserved 1-0 lead mid-way through the second-half, converting with aplomb following a rapid breakaway which saw Patrick McEleney provide the inch-perfect cross.

Complacency appeared to be at fault for the equaliser though, something which Kenny and all involved with the 2015 double winners seem intent on avoiding. Sean Gannon and Paddy Barrett were found wanting as Steven Lennon rifled past Gary Rogers with the aid of a deflection from skipper Stephen O’Donnell.

Indeed, the equaliser was a massive shock with FH rarely threatening the home goal. The hosts will be expected to provide the majority of the attacking impetus tomorrow night in front of their partisan home faithful. That fact could play perfectly into Dundalk’s grasp with the Lilywhites possessing vigour, pace and finesse on the break.

The Irish champions possess a pristine record away from home in both league and cup competitions over the past three seasons, which will surely provide optimism. The loss of Brian Gartland for the second-leg could prove crucial though. The robust defender fell awkwardly during the opening tie and is expected to be out for weeks with a broken wrist.

Apart from Gartland, the Lilywhites’ squad is supposedly at full health and striker David McMillan is confident that his side can progress in the tie

McMillan told dundalkfc.com: “Obviously we have to get a goal out there with the score being one all, but I think we have got the firepower to do that.

“We have scored in nearly every away game this year, won most of them – and our away form has been excellent. I think we have enough quality to score and the tie is still winnable but, we have to go out there and do a job and hopefully we come home with the right result.”

Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)

MATCH FACTS

Steven Lennon’s equaliser for FH last Wednesday was his first goal at Oriel Park, despite playing at the ground for the Lilywhites in 2010.

Dundalk have won two of their three away European games in the Stephen Kenny era, defeating Jeunesse Esch 2-0 and Hajduk Split 2-1 in 2014, before losing 2-1 to BATE in the Borisov Arena last July.

At this stage last season, FH defeated Finnish champions SJK to progress to the third qualifying round. Their 2-0 aggregate victory included a sole goal winning margin in their home tie.

MATCH BETTING

FH Hafnarfjordur 5/4; Draw 11/5; Dundalk 2/1

PREDICTION

FH Hafnarfjordur 0-2 Dundalk

FH Hafnarfjordur

Injured: Atli Gudnason.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.