UEFA Champions League Club Preview: Rhyl

Network site Soccer City FC spent time in 2008-09 focusing on the Welsh champions -- see The Joys Of Statistics: Welsh Premier League and Rhyl Snatch Second Welsh Premier League Crown -- and we certainly believe that the club has the ability to pull off a shock upset against Serbian giant FK Partizan in second qualifying round of the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League.

Here are three items of note to consider:

1) The Lilywhites are at home for the first leg of the qualifying round. If the squad can score a goal or two and hold Partizan, then the outfit's fortunes will be vastly improved as the club heads to Belgrade for the second leg. If Partizan holds Rhyl to a draw or even worse defeats the club at Belle Vue in Rhyl, then the Welsh enterprise might as well begin to focus on the domestic league.

2) Neil Roberts was a revelation in 2008-09 after joining via Wrexham. With more than 18 goals in league, the 31-year-old forward will be counted on to find the score sheet next week.

3) Matthew Williams, a former Manchester United academy product, competed with some of the world's best while at United and he must utilize that self-belief if he is to contribute in Rhyl's run.

Can the club beat Partizan -- yes.

Will the club beat Partizan -- unlikely.

I have the Serbian side moving on to the third round as Rhyl takes away some beneficial experience that will serve the squad well both domestically and in future European endeavors.