Vikingur Reykjavik vs Djurgarden prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 13:00.
[p]This round five league phase opener promises to be a fascinating UEFA Conference League meeting between two Scandinavian clubs who are both now weeks into their off-seasons with nothing to focus on other than this competition. Only goal difference separates Víkingur Reykjavík and Djurgårdens after four of six rounds, and the winner of this inaugural H2H meeting will move close to, if not, into the top-eight in the process.[/p]
[p]Currently negotiating their first Conference League proper, the host side have been graded as the outsiders of this clash following their scoreless draw away to lowly ranked Noah last round. They may nonetheless be approaching it confidently after commanding two-goal winning margins in their two home games so far, even beating fellow mid-table side Cercle Brugge 3-1 despite also being ranked as underdogs on that occasion. [/p]
[p]Djurgårdens are also flying the flag as the only remaining team in this competition from their country and their run to the last 16 in the 2023/24 Conference League is a fresh reminder that they can progress into the knockout stages even despite the challenges that come with having to play in their off-season. After narrowly missing out on a top-four finish in the Swedish Allsvenskan and losing the Swedish Cup final on penalties, this Conference League campaign is their only path to continuing in Europe next season. [/p]
[p]Their 1-0 win away to The New Saints late last month was their fourth win from their last five competitive games under interim manager Roberth Björknesjö, who succeeded co-managers Kim Bergstrand and Thomas Lagerlöf in October. Björknesjö is effectively auditioning for a permanent role on a contract that expires at the end of the calendar year, so he can go a long way towards continuing a journey he recently described as “absolutely fantastic” by extending Djurgården’s four-game unbeaten run in all continental football here (W2, D2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Ari Sigurpálsson’s last 11 competitive club goals were all in Víkingur victories, including against Cercle Brugge in this competition, whilst fellow 21-year-old Tobias Gulliksen has won all eight of his goalscoring appearances for Djurgården. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Djurgården’s last six UEFA games were either drawn or decided by a one-goal margin. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]