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Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between Linfield and Rigas Futbola Skola, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A place in the Europa Conference League group stages awaits the winner between Linfield and Rigas Futbola Skola when the teams face off on Thursday at Windsor Park.

A draw in the first leg of the sides' Europa League qualifier means that there is still a lot of play for ahead of the return fixture in Belfast.

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Match preview

Linfield maintained their 100% start to the new league campaign courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Newry City at the Showgrounds on Sunday afternoon.

David Healy's men went two goals up thanks to Eetu Vertainen's double before Lorcan Forde pulled one back, only for Andrew Clarke to put the game beyond doubt 30 minutes into the second period.

The Northern Irish champions currently sit third in the league table, three points shy of leaders Coleraine who have played one game more.

Awaiting them next is the final step towards securing a return to European football off the back of three consecutive playoff heartbreaks.

With shutouts in 11 of their 17 home matches since the turn of the year, Thursday's hosts will be confident of putting on another solid defensive display in front of their fans.

Rigas Futbola Skola were held to a 2-2 stalemate in their Optibet Virsliga encounter against Valmiera at the NSB Arkadija on Sunday.

Viktors Morozs's men opened the scoring through Emerson Santana but they were stunned by goals from Djibril Gueye and Masaki Murata after which Elvis Stuglis levelled matters in the final minute of normal time.

Having picked up 53 points from their 25 league games so far, the Latvian outfit remain in third place and eight points adrift of the top of the standings.

Off the back of three consecutive victories away from home, Thursday's visitors now go in search of what would undoubtedly be one of, if not, their biggest win ever.

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Team News

Santana has been directly involved in three goals in his last three games for Rigas Futbola Skola and the Brazilian is one to look out for.

Twenty-nine-year-old Elvis Stuglis will be pushing to get the nod right from the off this time around after coming the bench to good effect last time out.

Having scored in two straight substitute appearances for Linfield, Andrew Clarke could finally be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup here.

Leading goalscorer Vertainen had to make do with a second-half cameo in the first leg but the Finland international is expected back in the XI for this one.

Linfield possible starting lineup:
Johns; Clarke, Roscoe, Newberry, Finlayson; Palmer, Vertainen, Pepper; Cooper, McKee, McClean

Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:
Steinbors; Mares, Lipuscek, Jagodinskis, Vlalukin; Santana, Panic, Jatta, Friesenbichler; Ilic, Kouadio

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We say: Linfield 1-2 Rigas Futbola Skola (Rigas Futbola Skola to win 4-3 on aggregate)

Now in the last chance saloon to preserve their European ambitions, both sides are expected to be up for this one which should make for an exciting watch. We fancy the away side to come out on top in the end, albeit by only a narrow margin.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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