Larne vs RFS prediction 17.07.2024 | Champions League

• Competition: Champions League Qualifiers, 1st Round, 2nd Leg
• Date: Wednesday, 17th July, 2024
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
• Venue: Inver Park (Larne)

After a massive 3:0 win for RFS in the first leg of the first round of the Champions League Qualifiers in Latvia, Larne will try to turn things around in the rematch at Inver Park in Larne. 

Larne are on the rise. They won back-to-back titles, which are the only ones in the club's 135-year-old history. This year, they have already won one trophy after beating Cliftonville in the Charity Shield. Still, their start in the Champions League Qualifiers was atrocious as they lost 3:0. In Europe, Larne played only 12 games before the match vs RFS and have never reached the group phase of any European competition, and it is hard to expect a change any time soon. Right now, after the loss in the first leg, the bookies give them almost no chance of reaching the 2nd round.

RFS were founded only eight years ago, but they quickly became the best team in Latvia. They won the last title and two of the last three and are also doing great this season. Right now, they are first with 56 points from 22 matches, already seven points away from their main rival, Riga FC. RFS only looks better as the season progresses, and it was not a big surprise that they demolished Larne at their pitch. Now, they only need to finish the job in Northern Ireland. 

Larne vs RFS pick: Over 2.5 goals

Larne are a team that heavily relies on their home pitch, and they give their best performances there. Last year, in the domestic league, they won most of their points on their turf while scoring 2.95 goals per game, compared to only 1.44 away from home. In Europe, they were also much better at home, scoring seven goals in six games and only twice in six road games. So, we think they can score at least once or twice against RFS as well. 

RFS are in fantastic form. They won six in a row and scored 3.67 per game during that period. Because of that tremendous offense, they were over 2.5 goals in all six games. Looking a bit further, RFS scored two (or more) goals in the last nine matches, and we expect another excellent offensive performance.

In the first game, RFS won 3:0 and even had one goal canceled by VAR. Now, Larne have nothing to lose, and we expect an open game from the very start, which could easily result in a high-scoring game, most likely with both teams scoring. 

Considering all the above, an over 2.5 goals bet should be the safest option for the upcoming game.