Cliftonville vs St Josephs Prediction & Betting Tips (17 July)

From the quiet streets of north Belfast to the European stage, Cliftonville continues to write new chapters in its storied legacy. Competing in the UEFA Conference League, the club showcases a blend of seasoned talent and emerging youth. Veterans like Joe Gormley and Ryan Curran bring experience and grit to the forward line, while midfielders such as Rory Hale and Shea Gordon anchor the team with composure and creativity. The defense is bolstered by the likes of Jonathan Addis and Luke Conlan, and between the posts, Lewis Ridd adds a youthful edge. With manager Jim Magilton at the helm, Cliftonville’s squad reflects a thoughtful balance of local pride and international flair, ready to leave its mark beyond domestic borders.

From the rocky shores of Gibraltar rises a club with quiet resilience—St Joseph’s FC, a team that continues to evolve with purpose. Under the guidance of head coach Abraham Paz, the squad has shown steady cohesion and tactical discipline, reflecting his calm yet assertive leadership. The current roster features a mix of seasoned professionals and promising talent, including forwards like Pablo Rodríguez and Javier Forján, midfielders such as Marco Rosa and Hassane Adamou, and defenders like Ethan Santos and Gabri Cardozo. In goal, Bradley Banda and Marcos Zappacosta provide a reliable last line of defense. With a squad rich in experience and diversity, St Joseph’s remains a compelling force in Gibraltar’s football landscape.

In a clash that revealed more than just numbers on the scoreboard, the contest between Cliftonville and St Joseph’s was a showcase of rhythm versus relentlessness. Cliftonville held their own with confident build-up play and precise attacking moments, twice drawing level against a side that had been steamrolling domestic opponents. Joe Gormley and Rory Hale stitched together moments of ingenuity in the final third, while Jonathan Addis anchored a disciplined backline that absorbed pressure and broke forward with intent. Despite conceding two goals, Cliftonville’s ability to stay composed and adapt to St Joseph’s tempo displayed a maturity often reserved for more seasoned European competitors.

St Joseph’s, on the other hand, entered the game riding the momentum of dominant wins over Lions Gibraltar and Manchester 62, and their energy was unmistakable. Their attack—led by the likes of Pablo Rodríguez and Javier Forján—was fluid and decisive, especially in transitions. With Abraham Paz orchestrating his players from the sidelines, the team brought cohesion and confidence that translated into sustained pressure against Cliftonville’s defense. Although they couldn’t find a winner in either encounter, St Joseph’s reaffirmed their strength and adaptability, hinting at a team growing more formidable with each challenge.

Momentum can be a quiet weapon, and St Joseph’s seem to be wielding it with precision heading into their clash with Cliftonville on July 17th. With a string of commanding victories behind them and a well-balanced squad led by Abraham Paz, they’re poised to edge past their Northern Irish opponents. Cliftonville, while resilient and tactically sound, may find themselves outpaced by the Gibraltarian side’s sharp transitions and clinical finishing. A 2–1 scoreline in favor of St Joseph’s reflects not just form, but a growing confidence that could tip the scales in a tightly contested encounter.

• Summary: Cliftonville FC is going head to head with St Joseph's FC starting on 17 Jul 2025 at 18:45 UTC at Solitude stadium, Belfast city, Northern Ireland. The match is a part of the UEFA Conference League, Qualification .
• Referee: Sven Wolfensberger