*UEFA Champions League Qualifer: Steaua Bucuresti vs. Stromsgodset*
This is a very similar bet as to my Dinamo Zagreb -1 from yesterday, except this time we get the better team at home. Stromsgodset must attack here if they are to have any chance at advancing as they must grab a goal to even force extra time. Steaua missed quite a few quality chances in the first leg, and they really should have won by more than the eventual 1-0 victory they settled on. Additionally, key attacker Stanciu will likely be able to partake in todays game, whereas he was injured last time out. Steaua Bucuresti are not nearly as good as they have been in years past. As with many of these sides, they are a little short of depth and could use the financial boost of qualifying for the CL group stage. This is a realistic opportunity, as whoever gets through this tie will play against the winner of Aktobe/Dinamo Tblisi, if I’m not mistaken. I would rate the Romanian league a bit higher than the Swedish, which is a heck of a lot better than the Norwegian, save for the top teams. I expect to see a better showing from Steaua today as they have now had a few games to get back into the rhythm of competitive soccer. I think Stromsgodset will be exposed a bit as they push men forward, and I do think Steaua will get at least two goals here. Whenever Stromsgodset play teams who attack them, the games are usually high scoring. Steaua are just as good as the other teams who can punish Stromsgodset. For me, there are **two bets worth pursuing in this match: Steaua -1 @ 1.90 and Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.00.**
*Steaua -1 (Asian Handicap) @ 1.90 is my Pick of The Day*
*UEFA Champions League Qualifer: Steaua Bucuresti vs. Stromsgodset*
This is a very similar bet as to my Dinamo Zagreb -1 from yesterday, except this time we get the better team at home. Stromsgodset must attack here if they are to have any chance at advancing as they must grab a goal to even force extra time. Steaua missed quite a few quality chances in the first leg, and they really should have won by more than the eventual 1-0 victory they settled on. Additionally, key attacker Stanciu will likely be able to partake in todays game, whereas he was injured last time out. Steaua Bucuresti are not nearly as good as they have been in years past. As with many of these sides, they are a little short of depth and could use the financial boost of qualifying for the CL group stage. This is a realistic opportunity, as whoever gets through this tie will play against the winner of Aktobe/Dinamo Tblisi, if I’m not mistaken. I would rate the Romanian league a bit higher than the Swedish, which is a heck of a lot better than the Norwegian, save for the top teams. I expect to see a better showing from Steaua today as they have now had a few games to get back into the rhythm of competitive soccer. I think Stromsgodset will be exposed a bit as they push men forward, and I do think Steaua will get at least two goals here. Whenever Stromsgodset play teams who attack them, the games are usually high scoring. Steaua are just as good as the other teams who can punish Stromsgodset. For me, there are **two bets worth pursuing in this match: Steaua -1 @ 1.90 and Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.00.**
*Steaua -1 (Asian Handicap) @ 1.90 is my Pick of The Day*
Not many people rate the Kazakh Premier League, and I’m not one who does either. One thing I do like from there, however, are the top teams. I think Aktobe and Shakhter Karagandy are good sides who are solid enough to make the Champions League Group Stage. Whether they do or not is another story. I think there’s a few things going in Aktobe’s favor heading into this match. I think they play in a better league then Dinamo Tbilisi, and the Kazakhstan Premier League is in full swing whereas the Georgian domestic league has not yet started. They suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat three games ago, which prompted the resignation of their then manager. In comes a new thirty three year old manager in Gazzaev, and he has had good results in the two fixtures that he has been in charge. Obviously, it is a little early to rate his managerial pedigree, but he seems to have instilled a new sense of believe and determination into Aktobe. Dinamo Tbilisi are a decent side, but one that has aging players or inexperienced ones. There are few that are in the prime of their playing days. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for the Georgian domestic league, but Aktobe are a team I rate a bit higher. They were able to secure a cagey 1-0 victory away, and a similar score line would not surprise me. I think we will be in for an entertaining match here today. Dinamo simply cannot sit back as they must score to at least force extra time. Aktobe are a scoring force at home, and a goal or two will go along way to securing qualification. I think most people will see the result of the first match and assume that this one will be another low scoring affair. I beg to differ. Both teams had attacking intent in the first match, but as soon as Aktobe got the valuable away goal they stayed back. Dinamo actually had 18 shots at the Aktobe net, with 8 of them hitting the target. That’s important for this bet, because they absolutely must attack. Aktobe are a good attacking side, be it via breaking teams down or on the counter. My pick for this game is Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.05 and Aktobe to win @ 2.00
HJK Helsinki have a huge opportunity here to qualify for the next round. They are at home, playing on their artificial turf, and will qualify with a win here. Rabotnicki are not on the same level as HJK, then again, neither was Estonian side Nomme JK Kalju who eliminated HJK last season. I do like HJK to qualify against Rabotnicki, however. Rabotnicki lost their two best strikers in Ilioski and Manevski, as well as integral winger Sulejmanov to Young Boys. Rabotnicki are inexperienced, but they have a good academy that produces talented youngsters. I actually thought Rabotnicki held their own against HJK in the first leg and had chances to win. Nevertheless, today’s game is balanced on a knife’s edge after that 0-0 draw. I do think HJK will eventually win. They have some very talented players in Forssel, Vayrynen, Tainio and Kandji who are a step above anything that Rabotnicki offers. That being said, there is a heap of expectation on HJK to qualify after last years disappointment. Rabotnicki are a good enough team that HJK will still have to respect them. The issue for HJK is that Rabotnicki scoring could be a major issue. Due to the away leagues rule, any goal scoring draw will also see Rabotnicki through. For that reason, I expect HJK to be fully committed to their defensive responsibilities. I do think HJK will win, but I expect a 1-0 or 2-0 victory. Of course, they have the ability to win 3-0 or more against the Macedonians, but HJK are not a great goal scoring side. Because HJK must be aware of a Rabotnicki goal, and Rabotnicki’s missings, I’m going to take Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.95
Not many people rate the Kazakh Premier League, and I’m not one who does either. One thing I do like from there, however, are the top teams. I think Aktobe and Shakhter Karagandy are good sides who are solid enough to make the Champions League Group Stage. Whether they do or not is another story. I think there’s a few things going in Aktobe’s favor heading into this match. I think they play in a better league then Dinamo Tbilisi, and the Kazakhstan Premier League is in full swing whereas the Georgian domestic league has not yet started. They suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat three games ago, which prompted the resignation of their then manager. In comes a new thirty three year old manager in Gazzaev, and he has had good results in the two fixtures that he has been in charge. Obviously, it is a little early to rate his managerial pedigree, but he seems to have instilled a new sense of believe and determination into Aktobe. Dinamo Tbilisi are a decent side, but one that has aging players or inexperienced ones. There are few that are in the prime of their playing days. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for the Georgian domestic league, but Aktobe are a team I rate a bit higher. They were able to secure a cagey 1-0 victory away, and a similar score line would not surprise me. I think we will be in for an entertaining match here today. Dinamo simply cannot sit back as they must score to at least force extra time. Aktobe are a scoring force at home, and a goal or two will go along way to securing qualification. I think most people will see the result of the first match and assume that this one will be another low scoring affair. I beg to differ. Both teams had attacking intent in the first match, but as soon as Aktobe got the valuable away goal they stayed back. Dinamo actually had 18 shots at the Aktobe net, with 8 of them hitting the target. That’s important for this bet, because they absolutely must attack. Aktobe are a good attacking side, be it via breaking teams down or on the counter. My pick for this game is Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.05 and Aktobe to win @ 2.00
HJK Helsinki have a huge opportunity here to qualify for the next round. They are at home, playing on their artificial turf, and will qualify with a win here. Rabotnicki are not on the same level as HJK, then again, neither was Estonian side Nomme JK Kalju who eliminated HJK last season. I do like HJK to qualify against Rabotnicki, however. Rabotnicki lost their two best strikers in Ilioski and Manevski, as well as integral winger Sulejmanov to Young Boys. Rabotnicki are inexperienced, but they have a good academy that produces talented youngsters. I actually thought Rabotnicki held their own against HJK in the first leg and had chances to win. Nevertheless, today’s game is balanced on a knife’s edge after that 0-0 draw. I do think HJK will eventually win. They have some very talented players in Forssel, Vayrynen, Tainio and Kandji who are a step above anything that Rabotnicki offers. That being said, there is a heap of expectation on HJK to qualify after last years disappointment. Rabotnicki are a good enough team that HJK will still have to respect them. The issue for HJK is that Rabotnicki scoring could be a major issue. Due to the away leagues rule, any goal scoring draw will also see Rabotnicki through. For that reason, I expect HJK to be fully committed to their defensive responsibilities. I do think HJK will win, but I expect a 1-0 or 2-0 victory. Of course, they have the ability to win 3-0 or more against the Macedonians, but HJK are not a great goal scoring side. Because HJK must be aware of a Rabotnicki goal, and Rabotnicki’s missings, I’m going to take Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.95
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