The champions of Belgium and Cyprus meet for a place in the Champions League group stage this evening and it is AEL Limassol that are tipped to advance.
Cypriot sides have enjoyed tremendous success in Europe’s premiere club competition in recent seasons and were AEL to advance it would be the fourth time in the five previous campaigns that a team from the Championship First Division were represented in the tournament proper.
Following APOEL’s terrific run to the quarter-finals last term, where they were trounced 8-2 by Real Madrid, AEL will take great encouragement ahead of their trip to Anderlecht and they have something to defend after winning 2-1 on home soil last week.
Goals from Dossa Junior and Rui Miguel, two of many Brazilian and Portuguese imports, were enough for Limassol to gain a slender advantage and, while Dieumerci Mbokani’s reply gives Anderlecht more than a glimmer of hope, Tuesday’s visitors have a wonderful defensive record.
AEL conceded just 10 goals in 32 matches last season and they boast a terrific 15 clean sheets in their previous 22 matches on the road, dating back over the last calendar year.
So difficult to break down, AEL were not troubled in either previous qualifying round, beating Linfield 3-0 and Partizan 2-0 on aggregate, and they were deserved winners of the first leg.
Anderlecht, who lifted the Pro League title to qualify, are unbeaten this season in five domestic matches but, while their home form last term was excellent, I could not be going anywhere near quotes of 1.50 for them to win tonight.
In fact, AEL look extremely well-placed to qualify and I am more than happy to back them receiving a one goal head start on the Asian Handicaps at odds against.
3pts Back AEL Limassol (+1, vs. Anderlecht) @ 2.10 (Bet 365)