Hapoel Tel Aviv recorded a famous away win over Red Bull Salzburg last Tuesday to put them within touching distance of the Champions League group stages and I expect the Israeli’s to seal qualification for the tournament proper in style.
A 3-2 triumph in Austria seven days ago put Hapoel firmly in the driving and, boasting a terrific home record, they’ll be confident of following up.
With 18 wins in all competitions during an unbeaten run of 21 matches, Hapoel must be backed at 2.00 with Ladbrokes or VC Bet to win once again inside 90 minutes and I’m not put off by the fact that the hosts only need a draw to progress.
Hapoel set up their clash with the Austrian Bundesliga champions thanks to two thumping aggregate wins, firstly over FK Željezničar of Bosnia and then Kazakhstan’s FK Aktobe, and will be more than hopeful of continuing their recent good run in European football.
Hapoel qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League last season, beating Celtic, Hamburger SV and Rapid Wien on home soil, and won’t be fazed by their travelsick opponents.
Having failed at this final hurdle in three of the past four seasons, Salzburg are set for yet more Champions League heartbreak and just two wins in their last eight away matches doesn’t bode well for their chances.
Salzburg qualified for this despite a 1-0 defeat at Faroe Island minnows HB Tórshavn and a 1-1 draw with lowly AC Amonia of Cyprus and Hapoel are tipped to show their class once more.
Trailing 3-1 after the hour in the first leg, Roman Wallner’s penalty gives Salzburg some hope ahead of the return on Tuesday but the visitors were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Hapoel’s rivals Maccabi Haifa at this stage 12 months ago and the Israeli top flight appears a cut above its Austrian equivalent.
Hapoel’s 5-1 win over Rapid in last season’s Europa League confirms that and they also ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in the Austrian capital.
Everything on Tuesday points to a routine win for Hapoel and, providing nerves don’t get the better of them, this looks near maximum bet material. Etay Schechter’s hamstring injury is a concern but the young striker will surely play if anywhere near fit and the home fans can roar Hapoel into the Champions League group stages for the very first time.
6pts Back Hapoel Tel Aviv (vs. Red Bull Salzburg) @ 2.00 (Ladbrokes or VC Bet)