ALASHKERT v FC SANTA COLOMA
Tuesday 27th June 2017 – Kickoff: 1900hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League Betting Tips
We may still only be in June, but the qualifying rounds of the Champions League commence again on Tuesday night as the ‘minnows’ from europe’s lesser known leagues fight it out for a tilt at the big time.
No sooner did the curtain come down on the european domestic season with Real Madrid claiming the glittering prize of the Champions League, than the curtain raises again to herald a new Champions League season, beginning with Alashkert taking on FC Santa Coloma.
Alashkert secured the Armenian Premier League title for a second season on the trot by a seven point margin ahead of runners-up Gandzasar which saw them qualify for a Champions League qualifying first round tie with FC Santa Coloma for the second season on the trot also!
Alashkert beat FC Santa Coloma 3-0 on aggregate over the two legs at the start of last season, drawing 0-0 away from home in the first leg, and then sealing their second round qualifying spot with a resounding 3-0 win at home.
Striker Manasyan (14 goals) and defender Yedigaryan (13 goals) are the ones to watch for Alashkert tonight, and indeed the latter scored against FC Santa Coloma in their last meeting.
Visitors FC Santa Coloma claimed the Andorran 1a Division in the regular season and then staved off the competition to secure the overall title in the Championship Round to earn their Champions League qualifying spot.
Alas, this is where their journey could end even before it’s began as they face a tough first leg away from home to Armenian outfit, Alashkert, who they lost 3-0 to in the away leg of last season’s first qualifying round.
Santa Coloma reached the second qualifying round back in 2014 when they edged Armenian side Barants on the away goal rule which included a 1-0 win at home, but since that victory, Santa Coloma have failed to win any of their seven subsequent ties at this level.
Pick: Alashkert AH-1.25 @ 1.62 Unibet
