NOMME KALJU v SHKENDIJA
Champions League
Tuesday 9th July 2019
Kickoff: 1700hrs
Pick: Shkendija win
Bookmaker: Bet Victor
Odds: 1.57 (odds taken at 10:16 GMT, 08 July 2019)
Tuesday night marks the 1st legs of the 1st qualifying round of this season’s Champions League and our next preview features the clash between Estonian side, Nomme Kalju, taking on Macedonian club, Shkendija as the betting tips continue at the Hiiu staadion.
Champions League at Bet Victor
Nomme Kalju Prediction – Can Kalju make most of home soil?
Nomme Kalju head into this important 1st leg tie with Shkendija having put together a promising run of 7 matches without defeat in all competitions.
This sequence includes 5 wins and 2 draws, so the hosts will be in a confident frame of mind ahead of this home leg against their Macedonian opponents.
In addition, Nomme Kalju have won their last 7 matches on the trot on home turf at their Hiiu staadion in all competitions.
Their recent results at home in the domestic Meistriliiga has also seen Nomme Kalju string together 5 league wins on the trot at home.
Wins over FCI Levadia, Kuressaare, Maardu, Trans and Tulevik in the league should give Nomme Kalju plenty of confidence here.
However, they have lost twice at home so far in this season’s Estonian top flight which were defeats to Paide and Flora.
Their appearances in the Champions League have been limited to just two ties back in 2013; a 2-1 aggregate win v HJK, but also a 10-0 aggregate loss to Viktoria Plzen.
Shkendija Prediction – Can Shkendija use their CL pedigree?
Shkendija earned their place in these Champions League 1st round qualifiers thanks to finishing top of the North Macedonian First League.
The visitors won by a 15-point margin ahead of runners-up, Vardar, and as the domestic season ended in May, they’ve played a few friendlies since then.
There have been mixed results in these club friendlies as Shkendija have recorded wins against Olimpija and Zilina (both away from home).
They’ve also lost two friendlies at home though to Zlin and Zorya, so perhaps Shkendija won’t mind being on the road for this opening leg.
Results away from home have been pretty steady as the visitors have lost just 2 of their last 9 matches in all competitions.
These losses were at Belasica and Renova in the First League, but they’ve also posted 6 wins during this 9-match sequence away from home.
Perhaps Shkendija’s biggest advantage over Nomme Kalju is their previous experience at Champions League level.
They’ve managed 2 wins out of their 8 ties in this competition, which were wins against Welsh side, TNS and Moldovan outfit, Sheriff.
Although this return doesn’t seem great, they’ve gained invaluable experience of playing at this level.
Key-Facts – Kalju v Shkendija
- Nomme Kalju have won just 1 leg out of the 4 they’ve played in the CL
- Shkendija have won 6 of their last 9 away matches in all competitions
- This is the first meeting between Nomme Kalju and Shkendija
Betting Tips Verdict
Nomme Kalju have put together some decent wins at home but they face a Shkendija outfit with more experience at Champions League level.
