Preview: Dungannon Swifts vs Vaduz - prediction, team news, lineups

Fighting for a place in the third round, Northern Ireland's Dungannon Swifts are set to host Liechtenstein's Vaduz at Solitude for the second leg of their Conference League second qualifying round tie.

The Swifts hold an advantage from the first leg, and Residenzler will have to be on the front foot this week.

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Match preview

Rodney McAree's Dungannon reached this stage automatically by winning the 2024-25 Irish Cup, beating holders Cliftonville 4-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 over 120 minutes.

In the first leg, the Swifts earned a deserved 1-0 win at Rheinpark Stadion, courtesy of a 53rd-minute long-range strike from Sean McAllister.

That victory marked the first time that McAree's club have ever won an away game in UEFA competition, and they will be hoping that their triumph - 18 years on from their last foray into European action - was not in vain.

Knowing that a draw would be enough to see them through, the hosts will take confidence from the fact that they have lost just one of their eight most recent home matches, winning five and tying the other two.

However, considering that Dungannon have only appeared in continental competition three times in their history, and last played a European tie when they were eliminated from 2007-08 UEFA Cup qualifying by Lithuania's FK Suduva, it is fair to say that they are lacking experience and will need to be cautious of the occasion on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Marc Schneider's Vaduz have it all to do in the second leg, and given that they have failed to win any of their last 11 European games, fans would be forgiven for having doubts.

To add to their concerns, Residenzler's first-leg defeat was not an isolated result and extended their winless run to six matches across all competitions, though they did break the streak by taking all three points in a 2-1 Challenge League victory over Yverdon Sport on Sunday.

Schneider's men made their way to the second qualifying round by winning the 2024-25 edition of the Liechtenstein Cup, coming from two goals down in the second half of May's final to beat Balzers 3-2.

That victory was the visitors' most recent win as the nominal away team, and with two successes, one draw and two losses in their last five games on the road, they will need to defy their mixed travelling form to progress in midweek.

Should Vaduz pull off another comeback, this time on the continental stage, then their dream of making the tournament proper for the first time since 2022-23 would remain alive, though defeat would see them eliminated in this round by an Irish club for the second consecutive campaign.

Dungannon Swifts Conference League form:

Dungannon Swifts form (all competitions):

Vaduz Conference League form:

Vaduz form (all competitions):

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Team News

Dungannon's match-winner from the first leg, Sean McAllister, should start once again on Thursday, joined up front by strike partner Andrew Mitchell.

At the opposite end of the pitch, McAree's back three of Danny Wallace, Caolan Marron and Cahal McGinty will need to remain focused given the narrow margins in the tie.

As for Vaduz, Schneider should start centre-forwards Marcel Monsberger and Fabrizio Cavegn in a partnership, and the duo will be raring to go as they aim to overturn their side's deficit.

In the centre of the park, a trio of Mischa Eberhard, Luca Mack and Stephan Seiler will be trying to control proceedings, while Ruben Dantas Fernandes should be supporting the forwards from an attacking midfield position.

Dungannon Swifts possible starting lineup:

Dunne; McGinty, Marron, Wallace; Scott, Kelly, Bigirimana, Dillon, Glenny; McAllister, Mitchell

Vaduz possible starting lineup:

Schaffran; Beeli, Simani, Berisha, Schwizer; Eberhard, Mack, Seiler; Fernandes; Monsberger, Cavegn

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We say: Dungannon Swifts 1-1 Vaduz

 

Dungannon's home record suggests that they could avoid defeat in midweek, which would be enough to see them progress.

Additionally, Vaduz have struggled on the road in recent months, and even if they score, they will be hard-pressed to win the tie on Thursday.

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

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