Valletta target second qualifying round clash with FC Utrecht

Following a 2-0 win in the first leg, Valletta will be aiming for a place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League as they take on SS Folgore in the second leg of the first qualifying round at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle on Thursday, kick-off at 20:30.

The two-goal lead puts them in a comfortable position to reach a second round of a European competition for a seventh time after eliminating Barry Town in 1999, Keflavik in 2009, Tre Fiori in 2011, Lusitanos in 2012, La Fiorita in 2013 and B36 Torshavn in 2016.

Coach Zoran Popovic is not expected to make much changes from last week with Henry Bonello starting in goal, Uchenna Umeh, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Joseph Zerafa, Juan Cruz Gill, Romeu Romao, Claudio Pani, Santiago Malano, Michael Mifsud and Maxi Velasco.

Rowen Muscat and Jonathan Caruana are once again unavailable as the former is still recovering from an injury and the latter is suspended.

For Folgore, this is their fifth participation in UEFA competitions and they are yet to register a first win.

The winners face FC Utrecht in the second qualifying round with the first leg being played on Thursday 13 at the Hibernians Stadium, in case Valletta qualify.