The BTTS Coupon – Champions League Qualifiers 15th July
The pick of Tuesday’s schedule comes from the second round Champions League qualifiers and a host of teams across Europe will be hoping to edge one step closer to the group stage.
There are some really interesting first-leg matches on offer and we’re backing these six teams all to find the net at some stage during the proceedings.
Cliftonville V Debrecen
Our first selection comes from the match at Soiltude as Belfast club Cliftonville host Hungarian outfit Debrecen.
The visitors are the stronger side and should have absolutely no trouble in progressing over two legs. However, the hosts can be quietly confident in at least keeping it competitive on home soil. If Thomas Breslin’s men can record a positive outcome in Ireland then they must just be able to reignite their hopes of reaching the next phase.
Cliftonville were superb in their title-winning campaign of 2013/14, particularly in the closing weeks at home. The Reds won 11 of their last 12 league matches at Soiltude en route to the title, scoring 30 goals in the process. They can at least be optimistic about getting on the scoreboard here.
However, Debrecen are the superior team and will create chances throughout. We’d be very surprised if they leave Belfast empty handed.
BTTS Yes @ 10/11 with Ladbrokes
Valletta V FK Karabakh
Maltese champions Valetta return to Champions League action after a two-year absence and will be hopeful of reaching the third-round for the first time ever as they prepare to face Azerbaijani side FK Karabakh.
The hosts may have failed to progress beyond this stage, but their previous five matches on home soil in this competition have ended in goals for the Maltese side – furthermore, four of those ended in BTTS winners.
Two years ago, they even scored against Partizan Belgrade so have no reason to fear their Tuesday night opponents.
Nevertheless, it is the visitors whom will be fully expected to win this two-legged contest and it would be a shock if they fail to find the target here. Their recent domestic form isn’t great but last season’s return of 66 goals in 36 league games tells a story in itself.
It should be an action-packed encounter – let’s pray for plenty of goals.
BTTS Yes @ Evens with Ladbrokes
Zrinski V Maribor
The final game on our BTTS coupon is arguably the hardest to call in terms of a match result as Slovenia’s NK Maribor head to Bosnia, where they will face Zrinjski.
Maribor are a club full of goals and their return of 78 goals in Slovenia’s top-flight last term should give us plenty of reason to be confident in this selection. Additionally, they have been regular participants in European qualification over recent years and will not be overwhelmed by the occasion.
The Bosnian’s fell to Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv in the Europa League qualifiers last term but are a much stronger outfit this time and could be ready to stake their claim for a place in the Champions League. Zrinjski won their domestic league with a goal ratio of nearly two per game in 2013/14 and Branko Karacic’s side can be quietly confident about their chances in this one.
This has the potential to be the game of the night and should be a thrilling contest. There should be lots of action and hopefully that will result in goals at either end. We wouldn’t like to pick the winner, but we do think both teams will score.
BTTS Yes @ 7/10 with Ladbrokes
