Following a dramatic set of first leg matches last week, the Champions League second round qualifying round is poised nicely to provide another two days of intense football.
We’re hoping to capitalise on that sense of excitement with this BTTS treble. Every team will be desperate to progress, so odds of 13/2 for six teams to find the target should appeal.
After landing a 4/1 winner on Saturday, let’s hope for another here.
Our 13/2 Champions League treble is with Betfred, sign up and get on!
Maccabi Tel Aviv V Hibernians. 6:30PM
Maltese side Hibernians caused a major shock by winning last week’s first leg clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv and, while Branko Nisevic’s men will still be considered underdogs, the minnows will be dreaming of securing their place in round three with a memorable night in Israel.
The visitors are a spirited side and have a genuine goal threat in Brazilian Jorge Pereira. If Hibernians can utilise their main man, then they’ve got every chance of finding the target. An away goal would give them a genuine chance of progressing, so that has to be their intention.
However, the hosts will still be extremely confident about progressing. Despite their poor form towards the end of last season, as well as last week’s defeat, Slavia Jokanovic’s men will be fully expected to score.
Backing the visitors to score might be a little risky, but last week’s evidence shows that they are capable. As for Tel Aviv, that part of the bet should be certain.
BTTS Yes @ 11/10 with Betfred
Vardar Skopje V APOEL Nicosia. 7PM
A 0-0 draw in Cyprus means that both Vardar and APOEL Nicosia are in desperate need of goals in this week’s return leg, and we’re hoping that will lead to an exciting end-to-end clash in the Macedonian capital.
In spite of their failure to score on home soil, the Cypriots are still fancied to win this second leg. They have a lost a couple of key players since lifting the domestic double last year, but they should still have enough quality to find the target here.
However, Vardar should not be ruled out completely. Home advantage could count for a lot while striker Filip Ivanovski has been in good form for Sergey Andreev’s men too. The threat of an APOEL goal means that the hosts must attack, hopefully that will create chances at both ends.
It’s unlikely to be the night’s highest scoring game, but this battle can bring goals. Back both teams to score.
BTTS Yes @ 11/10 with Betfred
Crusaders V Skenderbeu. 7:45PM
Our final selection comes from Seaview, where Crusaders face an almost impossible task of trying to overturn last week’s 4-1 loss in Albania. It looks bleak for the Northern Irish club but Stephen Baxter’s men will be eager to salvage some pride by winning the second leg.
Skenderbeu’s three-goal advantage might allow the visitors to take their foot off the pedal slightly, and we think that can lead to at least one home goal. However, it seems likely that the Albanians will find the target too.
Mirel Josa’s men know that an away goal would essentially kill any thoughts of a Cursaders turnaround and we’d expect the Hamdi Salihi to be particularly confident of goals after hitting two in last week’s demolition.
Crusaders can score, but they’ve got no chance in reaching the next stage. Our tip for the contest is BTTS.
BTTS Yes @ 8/11 with Betfred
A £10 treble pays £76.17 with Betfred
