Vitoria Guimaraes vs Zurich prediction 15.08.2024 | Conference League

• Competition: Conference League Qualifiers, 3rd Round, 2nd Leg
• Date: Thursday, 15th August, 2024
• Kickoff: 20:15 UK / 21:15 CEST
• Venue: Estádio D. Afonso Henriques (Guimarães)

Following a 3:0 win for Vitoria Guimaraes, the Portuguese team will host the second leg of the third round Conference League Qualifications against Zurich at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques Guimarães.

Vitoria Guimaraes have been between fifth and seventh place in the previous six years. Last year, they finished fifth, which is objectively their maximum, considering the big four (Sporting, Benfica, Porto, and Braga) are simply too good for the rest of the competition. However, this season is off to a promising start for the "Conquistadores." They have won all three of their Conference League qualifying matches and secured a victory in their Liga Portugal opener. Should they advance to the playoff round, which is expected, they will have a pretty easy job as they will face a better team from Botev Plovdiv vs Zrinjski duel.

Zurich, a 13-time Swiss champion, had its ups and downs over the previous decade. From suffering relegation to winning the league title in the 2021/22 season. After that title, they had a terrible season where they finished eight (out of ten teams), and then in the previous season, they finished fourth and secured European Qualifiers. They are truly an inconsistent team, and it is almost impossible to predict what kind of season to expect from them. This year started great for them, as they currently hold the top spot in the Super League. However, a 3:0 loss against Victoria was indeed humbling, and now, no one expects they can overcome a three-goal deficit. The bookies offer odds up to 40 for them to advance to the next round of the Conference League Qualifiers.

Vitoria Guimaraes vs Zurich pick: Vitoria Guimaraes to win

Vitoria Guimarães looks great this season. They won all four games in all competitions with a combined goal difference of 9:0! It was evident they were well prepared for the season in the pre-season as well, considering they won all four friendlies, including two against excellent teams - Middlesbrough and Rayo Vallecano.

Zurich started the season well, and their loss against Vitoria was their only one in seven games in all competitions. However, the difference in quality between them and Vitoria was noticeable, as Vitoria Guimaraes dominated every aspect of the game. They had 63% ball possession and almost three times more goal attempts. For the entire game, they allowed Zurich just one shot at the goal!

Also, Zurich had very little success on the road in Europe in the previous decade. In 19 games played during that period, they secured just four wins, four draws, and 11 losses! All of their positive results came against teams like Spartak Trnava, Dinamo Minsk, Hearts, Linfield, AEK Larnaca, etc, which are objectively much weaker than Vitoria.

Now, although Vitoria doesn't need a win, we believe they are simply too good for the Swiss team, and we expect them to secure a victory in the second leg in Guimarães.