Irish Premiership champions Linfield might face a rematch with Shelbourne for a spot within the Uefa Convention League group stage.
The Blues play Faroese facet Vikingur within the third spherical of qualifying with the winners transferring right into a remaining play-off in opposition to the loser of the Europa League tie between the League of Eire champions or Croatia’s HNK Rijeka.
It throws up a really actual risk of a return of the Champions League qualifier in July which Shelbourne gained 2-1 on combination.
Following the second leg of that tie at Windsor Park, Linfield had been fined €10,000 (£8,727) for the “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters” and €2,000 (£1,745) for the lighting of fireworks in Windsor Park, plus a partial stadium ban, suspended for 2 years.
Since that recreation, David Healy facet have overcome Lithuanian champions Zalgiris 2-0 at Windsor Park to maneuver into the third qualifying spherical of the Convention League, whereas Shelbourne misplaced 4-0 on combination to Qarabag to drop into Europa League qualifying.
Ought to the Dublin facet get the higher of their Croatian opponents, they are going to be assured a spot within the Convention League group section at worst, with a play-off for a spot within the Europa League in opposition to both Greek facet PAOK or Austria’s Wolfsberger.
Nevertheless, defeat in opposition to HNK Rijeka and so they drop into the Convention League play-off in opposition to both Linfield or Vikingur.
Larne additionally face the opportunity of a gathering with League of Eire opposition ought to they arrive by means of in opposition to Portugal’s CD Santa Clara.
Nathan Rooney’s facet emerged on penalties in opposition to Prishtina to maintain their hopes of a return to the group section alive and will they handle to barter the 2 legs in opposition to the Portugese outfit, they’ll face both Shamrock Rovers or Ballkani from Kosova.
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