Europe - Champions League
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by Ian John in Champions League Predictions
Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus host Moldovan champions FC Petrocub Hincesti in what looks like being one of the more closely contested Second Qualifying Round matches in the Champions League. Thrylos have much more experience in European competition than their Moldovan opponents but the Hincesti Lions will be hopeful of causing an upset in what looks likely to be a very tight opening match between the two. Which side will our prediction favour for this key first leg encounter?
With home advantage and a far greater pedigree in Europe, Apoel Nicosia will feel they are good value as favourites to win the game. The Cypriot Champions only claimed the title on head-to-head record after finishing level with AEK Larnaca on 73 points last season. Their cosmopolitan squad is managed well by Spaniard David Gallego but their four friendly games so far this season have seen just one win and three draws. Their last result being a 0-0 draw in a friendly last week against AEK Larnaca.
FC Petrocub claimed the double of Moldovan Cup and a first ever Moldovan Super Liga title last season under manager Andrei Martin. Unlike their opponents, their squad is comprised predominantly of home nation players, with a trio of Ghanaians and a Cameroonian adding some African flair to the mix. In 19 games in Europe in their history, they have managed just eleven goals in total and conceded 21.
Against Kazakhstan's Ordabasy in the first round of qualifying for the Champions League, they drew 0-0 in the first leg in Kazakhstan before earning a narrow 1-0 win in the second leg on home soil.
A Third Qualifying Round tie against either Selje or Slovan Bratislava awaits the winner of this contest.
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Apoel Nicosia vs Petrocub Hincesti Form
Apoel Nicosia and Petrocub Hincesti Last Matches
1/6 (17%)
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
17 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
4 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
30 Jun 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
11 May 2024 - Cypriot First Division
28 Apr 2024 - Cypriot First Division
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
11 May 2024 - Cypriot First Division
21 Apr 2024 - Cypriot First Division
7 Apr 2024 - Cypriot First Division
16 Mar 2024 - Cypriot First Division
3 Mar 2024 - Cypriot First Division
15 Feb 2024 - Cypriot First Division
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
17 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
4 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
30 Jun 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
28 Apr 2024 - Cypriot First Division
14 Apr 2024 - Cypriot First Division
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
17 Jul 2024 - Champions League
10 Jul 2024 - Champions League
3 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
25 May 2024 - Cupa Moldova
18 May 2024 - Divizia Nationala
11 May 2024 - Divizia Nationala
6/6 (100%)
0/6 (0%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
17 Jul 2024 - Champions League
25 May 2024 - Cupa Moldova
18 May 2024 - Divizia Nationala
4 May 2024 - Divizia Nationala
28 Apr 2024 - Divizia Nationala
24 Apr 2024 - Cupa Moldova
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
10 Jul 2024 - Champions League
3 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
11 May 2024 - Divizia Nationala
1 May 2024 - Cupa Moldova
20 Apr 2024 - Divizia Nationala
14 Apr 2024 - Divizia Nationala
Players list
V. Belec
Y. El Arabi
DefenderJ. Cipriano
M. Susic
X. Quintilla
MidfielderR. Petrovic
G. Kostadinov
S. Tejera
M. Meyer
A. Donis
ForwardM. Corbu
S. Smalenea
DefenderV. Mudrac
S. Platica
D. Demian
D. Douanla
I. Jardan
MidfielderM. Lupan
D. Abagna
V. Jardan
M. Caruntu
ForwardD. Puscas
Substitutes
S. Kittos
A. Christodoulou
DefenderI. Chebake
E. Antoniou
MidfielderP. Polykarpou
P. Kattirtzis
M. Corbu
M. Meyer
G. Satsias
ForwardY. El Arabi
A. Donis
D. Theodorou
Koval
DefenderV. Jardan
D. Demian
M. Lupan
B. Seidu
M. Caruntu
Yosipoi
C. Sandu
Most goals and assists
Apoel Nicosia
Petrocub Hincesti
Y. El Arabi
(13 Goals)
I. Bors
(1 Goals)
,
T. Lungu
(1 Goals)
,
V. Mudrac
(1 Goals)
,
S. Platica
(1 Goals)
S. Tejera
(3 Assists)
V. Ambros
(1 Assists)
,
D. Puscas
(1 Assists)
Apoel Nicosia - Petrocub Hincesti Key Points
- Both teams last two friendly fixtures have seen under 2.5 goals scored in all four games and both teams scored in just one of those four matches.
- Both teams have scored in just four of Apoel Nicosia's past 13 European fixtures.
- Over 2.5 Goals has been scored in just five of FC Petrocub's 19 European fixtures.
- Both teams have scored in just five of FC Petrocub's 19 past competitive European fixtures.
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Our Apoel Nicosia vs Petrocub Hincesti Prediction
Our prediction for the Champions League Second Qualifying Round 1st leg Apoel Nicosia vs. FC Petrocub is: Under 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to score - No.
With no domestic data available for both teams, the determining factors that were prevalent in the data for this fixture was a lack of goals in their friendly matches leading into the game and in the case of FC Petrocub, in their Champions League First Round Qualifying match.
Across those six fixtures, both teams scored in just one game and no matches saw over 2.5 goals scored. Hence, our prediction combines both these two options into a good value bet.
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