Afrigather 
Verdict: Each groups rating
Greatest odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Following a primary battle in Bucharest that left unresolved the progress within the subsequent part of the Champions League qualifiers, Romanian champions FCSB will cross the border to settle the tie with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The sport will probably be performed on the impartial floor in Budapest at Bozsik Enviornment the place the Romanian followers are anticipated to fill many of the 8500 seats.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
A daily presence within the European Competitions since 1992, Maccabi Tel Aviv is eager to match their greatest Champions League presence once they attain the group stage on two events. Regardless of hitting their peak on the European stage, the Tel Aviv aspect did not make an announcement towards Europe’s greatest.
Recording 4 factors from 12 video games shows a major hole the Israeli champions want to shut in the very best membership soccer competitors. Nonetheless, defeating Ajax and snatching a degree towards Juventus at Ramat Gan Stadium practically a decade in the past, is a feat the guests intention to copy this time.
Freshly topped champions of Israel two months in the past following a battle towards rivals Maccabi Haifa, Robbie Keane’s staff dominated Ligat ha’Al ending their marketing campaign with an 11-point benefit in entrance of their rivals. This spectacular output led to 12 undefeated video games throughout all competitions (together with friendlies) making the Tel Aviv aspect troublesome to play towards.
Whereas the present pre-season preparation in Poland was going in line with plan with two wins and a stalemate, Maccabi Tel Aviv impressed by scoring seven targets and retaining a clear sheet in these video games. Following this glorious collection, Robbie Keane’s staff travelled to Bucharest filled with confidence displayed on the pitch, returning with a draw that left the qualification up for grabs.
Staff Information
Regardless of having 5 gamers collaborating within the Olympic video games, Robbie Keane efficiently addressed his squad’s shortcomings within the first leg. Nevertheless, the previous Tottenham legend is predicted to make use of the identical method from the primary leg when he arrange his formation right into a 5-3-2 system with stable defending and fast development on the break. Midfielder Dan Biton would possibly get a begin this time after coming from the bench and scoring the equalizer in Bucharest.
FCSB
FCSB did not take benefit within the first recreation performed in entrance of their followers and saved their rivals within the tie after lacking many possibilities to attain the second purpose. The Bucharest aspect had issues through the summer season after promoting their most precious asset, winger Florinel Coman and different key figures returning late to the squad following the Euro 2024.
Though the present Romania champions regained supremacy domestically by profitable the title following a seven-year drought, the last word purpose is to achieve the Champions League group stage, a feat final achieved 11 years in the past. Returning to the qualification part of the largest stage in membership soccer, FCSB warmed up with Virtus within the first qualification spherical. Following a 7-1 win in San Marino, the Bucharest aspect progressed to the following spherical with one other dominant house show (4-0) making FCSB the favorite staff towards Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Whereas the deal with reaching the Champions League group stage is clear, the price of neglecting the home video games despatched the Liga 1 champions to the underside half of the desk with two factors after three rounds. Regardless of going through accessible opponents, FCSB was compelled to accept a draw towards U Cluj (1-1) and Slobozia (2-2) within the opening two Liga 1 rounds.
With a watch on the return recreation in Budapesta towards Maccabi Tel Aviv, Elias Charalambous’s staff suffered a shock house defeat to Otelul Galati. Though some gamers had been rested for the midweek Champions League conflict, dropping 2-0 to Otelul might decrease FCSB’s gamers’ confidence earlier than heading to Hungary. The followers are actually frightened as they noticed their favourites going from scoring 11 targets towards Virtus to lacking the goal towards Otelul, a efficiency replicated with Maccabi Tel Aviv when the strikers did not hit the goal within the first leg.
Staff Information
Proper-back Alexandru Pantea is recovering from a ligament harm suffered in February and won’t journey to Budapest. Extra so, gifted left-winger Octavian Popescu joined the restoration room after sustaining a foot harm that can see him out for an extended interval.
Key elements to contemplate
- Maccabi Tel Aviv is undefeated in the final 13 video games (W10D3)
- The host gained the Israel Tremendous Cup by defeating Maccabi Petah Tikva (2-0)
- FCSB gained a single aggressive recreation from the final 5 performed (W1D3L1)
- The guests suffered a shock house defeat (2-0) within the championship earlier than touring to Budapesta
Conclusion
Though predicting the full-time result’s harder this time, we count on the identical situation from the primary leg with an open recreation and plenty of possibilities created at each ends. Contemplating the upfront high quality current on the pitch in each groups, we count on targets scored at each ends.
Verdict: Each groups rating
Greatest odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
