RFS vs Basaksehir prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 19:00.
Rigas FS know that making home advantage count in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) is more important than ever, as they seek to become the first Latvian side ever to progress from any group stage. A 2-0 home loss to Hearts on matchday two came as a huge disappointment though, making it four UECL games on home soil without victory.
A point recovered from behind against two-time Italian champions Fiorentina prior to the Hearts loss showed RFS’ resilience nonetheless, and three straight wins on the domestic scene can only help their psyche too. Impressively, they form the tail end of a 100% record from the last four Virsliga matches to see RFS net the opening goal.
Only a win gives RFS any chance of reaching the halfway mark in second place – the sole knockout round play-off berth – and within sight of pacesetters Başakşehir, who embark on a journey of nearly 3,000km to the Baltics at the Süper Lig summit. A 2-1 win at Ankaragücü put them there, making it just one loss in 15 competitive away games (W10, D4).
As Başakşehir are one of just five teams still unbreached in this UECL group stage, high levels of concentration and discipline could prevail, as the club’s quest to improve on their best European run (R16 in 2019/20) gathers pace. That has also translated into attacking success later on, with six of Başakşehir’s seven Group A goals so far coming after half-time.
Players to watch: Tomislav Šarić smashed a first-half hat trick for RFS against Metta in their 6-0 win at the weekend, while Başakşehir’s Deniz Türüç was the hero on the same day, firing the late winner at Ankaragücü to ensure that his last four goalscoring competitive away games have ended in victory.
Hot streak: Başakşehir have never drawn a European group stage away match (W4, L6).