Barry Johnston and Paul Leeman believe Cliftonville and Larne face "different pressure" going into Saturday's Euro play-off final.
The winners of the clash at Inver Park (5.30pm kick-off) will book their place in next season's Europa Conference League qualifiers, and guarantee themselves at least £215,000 in prizemoney.
It is a huge winner-takes-all affair for two clubs desperate for the prestige of reaching Europe, and the bonus of a significant cash windfall.
Former Cliftonville midfielder Johnston believes the financial incentive will be greater for the North Belfast Reds, who missed out on Europe last season.
But he also believes Larne boss Tiernan Lynch will be under pressure to deliver European football, whose owner Kenny Bruce has already pumped significant investment into the club.
"Larne is a different pressure to Cliftonville," Johnston told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.
"Cliftonville have to win it because of the money, and Larne have to win it because of the investment which has been made already.
"Winning the Co Antrim Shield, fair enough. Reaching the final of the Irish Cup, unlucky. But they have finished fourth in the league after starting well and people tipping them.
"So I think Tiernan knows he might be under a wee bit of pressure to qualify. If they don't, I don't think Kenny Bruce will sack him or anything. But I do think it will make it a bit more tentative at the start of next season. A few bad results and that could apply pressure.
"I think it's a game more for Tiernan's future, with regards next year. But for Cliftonville it is purely about money."
Johnston added: "I don't know what Cliftonville's budget is, but I know they're getting a new pitch laid, so they might need the money for that.
"It is genuinely all about money for Cliftonville, but for Larne it is probably about Tiernan's future."
Former Glentoran captain Leeman believes qualifying for Europe would complete a "super season" for Larne, who won the Co Antrim Shield and reached the final of the Irish Cup, on top of finishing fourth in the Premiership.
But he agrees that club owner Bruce will be looking a "return on his investment".
Leeman said: "There has been so much invested in Larne, on and off the pitch, that at some stage Kenny Bruce will want to see major trophies and European football.
"He will want to see a return on that investment.
"So there is pressure on them to qualify for Europe, and if they can do that then they can say it was a good season."
