Birkirkara v Hearts Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League, 14th July
It’s been an early summer start back to competitive football for the those trying to grind their way through the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League. Hearts came through their first test with a 6-3 aggregate win over Tallinna FC but they won’t be too happy with the goals that they conceded against lowly opposition. Still, plenty of time to grow into the new season and they go as favourites here as they take on Maltese side Birkirkara in the second qualifying round of the competition.
Just in case no-one manages to net a goal on the night, you can enjoy good 0-0 bore draw insurance on this and all games at online betting site Bet365. Place a pre-match correct score, scorecast or half time/full time bet on the game and if your wager loses because the game ends 0-0 then you will get your lost stake refunded as a free bet from the bookmaker. Register an account with them and earn a 100% matched deposit bonus as a welcome.
Birkirkara v Hearts Betting Tips
Yes, the long road to the main stage of the UEFA Europa League is underway and we are already into the second qualifying round, where we find Hearts set to take on Maltese side Birkirkara, who some may remember from their early exploits in last season’s qualifying. Hearts posted a 6-3 aggregate win over Tallinna FC in the first qualifying round, opening with a tough 2-1 home win, when most probably would have been expecting a little bit more. Then they raced out to a 3-0 half time lead in the second leg before shipping a couple of goals in a 4-2 second leg victory. That was their first games out of the blocks and they will get better but immediately they are going to need to be better defensively than that by a long stretch. Still, from a betting perspective a both teams to score wager at 4/6 will have some appeal in this one.
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson will gradually wind more out his players with each 90 minutes of competitive action that passes. They were never really under any pressure from Tallinna in the first qualifying round, they just would have liked to have done a little better because the challenges will get tougher. Thursday night is just going to be about getting something on the board to build on in the second leg back at Tynecastle. Igor Rossi netted a couple of goals in the 4-2 second leg win over Tallinna and Callum Paterson hit the back of the net as well. Those would be decent anytime goalscorer pokes, given it is hard to read form this early. Overall though, this could be a tricky night out in Malta for Hearts.
Birkirkara very nearly pulled off a shock in the second qualifying round of the Europa League last season. That is when they bumped into English Premier League side West Ham and earned a 1-1 aggregate draw against the Hammers, but lost out in the penalty shoot out against the London club. But that was a massive boost in confidence for them, and the 1-0 win they took at home against the Hammers and the 3-1 win over Ulisses in last season’s first qualifying round are the only victories they have posted in their UEFA Europa League campaigns before. So slow progress for them, but progress nonetheless and it hints at caution needed by Hearts. The game going over 2.5 goals is a quote of 3/4 and a Hearts 2-1 correct score bet is a price of 15/2 which shows that the Scottish CLub may not get things all their own way.
Birkirkara v Hearts Betting Odds
Hearts 8/11, Draw 5/2, Birkirkara 3/1
Birkirkara v Hearts Predictions
It will be interesting to see what Birkirkara can come up with this time around. They will put all their stock in a home win in this one so that they can defend the second leg. It may be worth having a flutter on both teams is score in this one because Hearts did produce in front of goal in the last round. Settle for the draw in the outright though.
Find the latest results, League Table, Top Scorer and more on our football statistics on online-betting.me.uk (just choose your country & your preferred topic)
