Djurgarden vs Vitoria Guimaraes prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-23 16:45.
[p]Djurgården’s routine was thrown out during the week when they were forced to complete a Stockholm derby behind closed doors on Monday afternoon (L 2-0), setting back their preparations for this UEFA Conference League fixture by one day. The Swedish side will now likely face sanctions for the crowd troubles that caused the suspension of the match, but the club will be keen to keep the focus on on-field matters here, especially as they’ve won nine of their 11 Conference League home games (L2). [/p]
[p]Balancing a faltering Allsvenskan campaign in which they’re clinging onto a top-three spot provides an additional distraction here, although their 2-2 draw at LASK on the opening matchday maintained their all-time unbeaten record in the group/league stage of the Conference League (W5, D2). That record will now be put to the test against Portugal’s Vitória de Guimarães particularly as the Swedish side are now without a clean sheet in ten consecutive competitive matches. [/p]
[p]Guimarães have been struggling to shut any opposition out themselves, having to fight to take the lead twice to win their weekend Taça de Portugal game against second-tier Paços de Ferreira (3-1). They have completed five straight games across all competitions without a clean sheet, but were nonetheless thoroughly impressive when winning their matchday one game 3-1 against Slovenia’s Celje. [/p]
[p]They may not know what to expect from their first trip to Sweden, but that ought not matter based on the way they have been performing away from home both domestically and internationally. Guimarães won seven of their last nine competitive away trips (D1, L1), picking up victories ‘to nil’ in Bosnia (Zrinjski), Switzerland (Zurich) and Malta (Floriana) along the way. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: August Priske recorded his first goal for the club in their previous Conference League outing and then followed it up with a mammoth four in their cup victory which was peculiarly played over the international break. Similarly, Samu scored for Guimarães in both their most recent continental and domestic fixtures. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: The last eight competitive matches involving either side (since Sept 28) saw both teams score on the day. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]