St. Patrick's Athletic -v- IBV

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Pats take their first step into what will hopefully be a long European journey when they host Icelandic side IBV on Thursday night.  The sides meet in the first qualifying round for the Europa League. Only three rounds stand between them and repeating Shamrock Rovers feat of making the group stages.

For many, their foray into Europe usually results in facing unknown quantities, but for Pats, the visit of IBV is all too familiar. The sides met each other last season with the Dubliners losing 1-0 in Iceland only to progress with a 2-0 win at home.

Liam Buckley’s side go into this game in the best possible form having put to bed a ten-year hoodoo against Shels on Friday night, with a 1-0 win at Richmond Park. This extends to nine the games that the Inchicore side are unbeaten in at home.

Speaking ahead of the game, one of two members who faced IBV last season, Ian Bermingham told StPatsfc.com that he is confident of getting a result in the first leg.

“I think our style of play will suit us in Europe. Off the ball, I think we work really hard to get possession back, we all really work as a unit. But when we have the ball, I think we’re very good and we’ll cause them a lot of problems. Last year we were in their faces and they didn’t like that, so I think we’ll be in their faces again this year and when we’re on the ball, hopefully, they won’t be able to live with us.”

Liam Buckley will have new signing Anto Flood available for the clash, the striker signed from Southend and has his international clearance ahead of kick-off tomorrow night. However Chris Forrester is out, he came off at half-time on Friday night and Mark Rossiter remains a long term absentee. John Russell is available for selection once again.

Speaking about his opponents, Buckley said: “IBV will be a different test, we know a little about them but not as much you’d like to know. We’ve seen a few DVDs of them from recent games, and then of course last year’s game as well. They have five English players in there squad, and we think most of them will be involved tomorrow.” 
 

“In the game last year, it was tight and wasn’t as comfortable as people have made out. They had a few chances to score the away goal in Inchicore which could have made the difference and swung the result in their favour, so they’re a decent side.”

IBV

Based on the south coast of Iceland, IBV are home to former Premier League player, Hermann Hreiðarsson. Their current Icelandic international striker Tryggvi Guðmundsson became the league’s all-time top scorer this season with 127 goals to his name, however he has only bagged one goal so far this season in four appearances for the club.

After nine games in their domestic season IBV are currently in fourth, but only six points separate the top six sides in the league. The Icelandic side are unbeaten in their last six league games and will be going into this game full of confidence. Their last game resulted in a 2-0 win on the 29^th of June.

Speaking ahead of the game their manager Magnus Gylfason is in a buoyant mood.

“We are looking forward to the game and it’s going to be a very tough job, we lost here last year adn we are not a professional team. We are looking forward to the game and we think we can do something against them.”

The Nordic manager feels that his side will benefit from having played Pats last season, despite both sides being vastly different now.  

“After the experience last year we think we have a chance. Both teams are very different from last year and I think it’s going to be a very different and tough game.”

Gylfason goes into the game with a full strength squad apart from the IBV captain Andri Olafsson who is a long term injury.

Referee: Igor Satchi (MDA)

MATCH STATS

These sides met last year and Pats progressed 2-1 on aggregate

Pats are unbeaten in their last nine games at Richmond while IBV have won their last six games

BETTING

St Pats 4/7 Draw 3/1, IBV 5/1

PREDICTION

Pats will take a lot of heart from beating Shels on Friday night and they looked solid at home, especially at the back. They should replicate last year’s result 2-0.

St Pats Injury News: Mark Rossiter, Chris Forrester

St Pats Suspension News: None

IBV Injury news: Andri Olafsson

IBV Suspension news: None