Betting Tip
Six years ago, there was a stage known as the preliminary round. In its semi-final, Tre Fiori lost to Linfield (0:2). Back then, it did not matter that the San Marino team were the hosts, as the match was played behind closed doors during the pandemic. This time there will be support, but the team's stadium is very small.
San Marino's national team and clubs are, in most cases, unable to cope even with teams of a similar level. In addition, after the restrictions ended, Tre Fiori took part only in the Conference League. Nevertheless, at home Tre Fiori can pick up points. Across the last three editions of the Conference League, they have won two matches and drawn once. They even managed to beat Armenian side Pyunik (1:0) in the first of the two-legged ties.
Over the last four seasons, Larne have won three league titles. Those are all their championships in their 137-year history. Accordingly, they already have experience of competing for the Champions League. However, the Inver Reds have not gone beyond the first qualifying round, losing to the champions of Finland and Latvia. Those countries are at Northern Ireland's level. Another plus for Larne is that they have already played a cup match in the new season, winning the Super Cup on penalties against Coleraine (1:0 pens). In two of their three friendly matches, the Northern Irish champions did not concede.
At home, Tre Fiori will put up resistance. It is not certain that they will avoid defeat, but Larne will find it difficult to win. The team from Ulster have gone seven matches without a win in European competition, and they failed to score in four of them. So the minimal positive handicap on the hosts has a good chance of landing.