Valletta V Dudelange
Tuesday, 16th July 2019 – 19:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League First Round Qualifier
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/5 | 23/10 | 31/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of July 15th, 2019 at 00:50)
First Leg: Dudelange 2-2 Valletta (Goals: Adel Bettaieb, Dominik Stolz; Douglas Packer, Jean Borg)
Preview: This contest remains evenly poised ahead of the concluding leg in Malta, with hosts Valletta producing a stunning second-half comeback in Luxembourg to claw back a 2-0 deficit and earn a 2-2 draw with Dudelange. The latter were competing in the group stages of the Europa League last term and remain favourites to progress, but can the hosts seize on home advantage to produce a small shock?
Champions League Betting at Bet22
Valletta Preview – First leg comeback catalyst for progression?
At 2-0 down in the first leg, Valletta must have been fearing the worst. However, a superb response in the second half earned them a credible draw as strikes from Douglas Packer and Jean Borg ensured they left Luxembourg with a couple of potentially crucial away goals. Now back on home territory, the Maltese champions must fancy their chances of progression knowing even a low-scoring draw would see them progress.
Not having the pressure of needing to win this game will be of huge relief to a team which seldom wins in Europe, even when playing as the hosts. In the past five years their only triumphs on home soil are a pair of victories over teams from the Faroe Islands (beating B36 Torshavn 1-0 but still losing 2-1 on aggregate) and San Marino (beating Tre Penne 2-0 at home and 3-0 on aggregate). Their record during this period is an underwhelming W2 D2 L4 when hosts.
However, Valletta have shown gradual improvement over the years – especially when playing in Malta! Their last three fixtures at home in Europe saw them hold Dutch Eredivisie outfit FC Utrecht (0-0) and Albania’s Kukesi (1-1) to draws, and only narrowly fall to defeat against Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar (L1-2). Valletta or Draw in the Double Chance market is 8/15 with Boylesports.
Key to them securing a positive outcome in this decisive second leg could be in avoiding another high-scoring affair similar to the one a week ago in Luxembourg. Their defence shipped just eight league goals at home last season to help the club clinch its 25th Maltese championship. More of the same and a place in the second qualifying round could be theirs.
Dudelange Preview – More away day heroics?
The club has claimed 12 of the past 15 championships in Luxembourg, so it would be fair to describe Dudelange as well versed when it comes to qualifying games in continental competitions having had enough practice due to their sustained success back home. Most of those forays into Europe were brief and forgettable though, or at least that was the case up until last season’s escapades, when they defied the odds round after round to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League.
On this occasion the odds aren’t quite stacked against them, but their chances of progression have been made more challenging after contriving to draw the home leg 2-2 despite leading by two clear goals at one stage. The concession of those two away goals will also force their hand here as, unless this second leg ends in another thrilling draw, only victory will see them safely through to the next round.
They were in a similar predicament this time last year; after drawing their Champions League First Round Qualifier 1-1 at home, Dudelange needed to win in Hungary to progress onto the next stage. A 2-1 defeat at MOL Vidi meant they departed at the earliest point but would subsequently enjoy a sensational run in the Europa League qualifying rounds to overcome Drita (2-1 on aggregate), Legia Warsaw (4-3) and CFR Cluj (5-2), recording memorable away wins versus the latter two.
Therefore a team that was capable of earning very impressive wins in Poland and Romania, against two of the strongest teams in their respective leagues, are more than capable of repeating the trick against far less daunting opposition. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will, of course.
Valletta V Dudelange Key Facts:
- Maltese champions Valletta won just two of previous eight home European games (W2 D2 L4).
- Dudelange recorded away victories over Legia Warsaw (2-1) and CFR Cluj (3-2) en route to qualification to the 2018-19 Europa League group stage.
- The first leg in Luxembourg ended 2-2; Dudelange led 2-0 at half-time but Valletta responded with two second half strikes.
Betting Summary
The onus is on the visitors to really take this second leg to their opponents. And Dudelange are a team with a recent track record for producing on their travels in Europe, and in more testing environments than that which awaits them in the Maltese capital. The Luxembourg champs recorded shock victories at Legia Warsaw and CFR Cluj last season. So the visitors do possess the necessary credentials to suggest they can deliver a winning performance here, against decidedly weaker opposition on this occasion.
Dudelange are also accustomed to playing on the front foot back home, where they average around 3 goals a game, and that experience will come in useful here with them needing to score at least once if they’re to avoid exiting the competition. Valletta didn’t exactly roll over in the first leg – the exact opposite in fact – and are unlikely to do so here, either. It has all the ingredients for another entertaining encounter.
