Tuesday 05/08/2014, 19:30, Champions League Qualifiers, BATE vs Debrecen

BATE vs Debrecen Preview

BATE and Debrecen are just one step away from the Champions League playoffs, with the second leg of the last qualifying round scheduled for tonight. The hosts are trying to offset a narrow margin defeat suffered one week ago, but in order to prevail, they need to score at least twice at home. The Hungarian side was quite lucky to score the winning goal after a penalty kick awarded to them in the second half, in a game that was surprisingly balanced.

BATE vs Debrecen Odds

At Totepool

BATE 1.70, Draw 3.60, Debrecen 5.10

BATE vs Debrecen Tips

Past performance suggested that BATE was the better team and the fact that they decided to field three strikers despite playing away from home says a great deal about their confidence. Not surprisingly, these overly aggressive starting formation allow them to dominate the match from one end to the other and they even had better ball possession.

Sending more shots to the opposing net and threatening the goalie was not a problem for BATE, but unfortunately for them the home side didn't have a problem in keeping a clean sheet. Rodionov and Signevich were by far the best players last week and as a result they will be featuring in the starting formation once again.

This time, it is quite possible for Alekisevich to join them up front, as the home side needs to score early, in order to stand a fighting chance. As for the visitors, they are quite happy with the home pitch result, because scoring from a penalty and denying their opponents a chance to score, makes them favorite to advance to the next stage.

The main problem for Debrecen is that they didn't play too many competitive matches recently and they are not particularly good on the road either. Sidibe has earned his place in the starting formation and since the Hungarian side only needs to defend that narrow margin win, he is guaranteed to start up front. Volas is the likely partner if things take a turn for the worse, but coach Kondas will probably decide that a 5-4-1 starting formation would be better for the second leg.

Key Facts

• BATE has played in the Champions League groups before and they did a good job, while Debrecen is unexperienced in this European competition.
• The two teams met in the Champions League qualifiers before in 2012 and BATE emerged victorious, by scoring twice on the road.

BATE vs Debrecen Prediction

Not surprisingly, the odds for a home win have dropped and they currently sit at 1.70 with Totepool, but even this value is expected to sink. Punters would be wise to place a bet right now and back BATE at full stakes, because in front of their fans they are probably going to steamroll past the Hungarians.

Bet: BATE @ 1.70 with Totepool