Salzburg vs Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 28/09/2020, 10:46  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 28/09/2020 at 11:47 in Champions League Prediction

Red Bull Salzburg are in the driving seat in this Champions League play-off round. They went to Maccabi Tel Aviv for the first leg and came away with a 2-1 win. Qualifying for the group stages looks more than likely for them but the Israeli side will fight every inch. They took the lead in the ninth minute in the first leg and held that advantage until the 49th minute when the Austrians equalized from the penalty spot. Another goal followed eight minutes later to give Salzburg the 2-1 advantage. The Austrians are in good form at present and top the Austrian Bundislega with maximum points from three games. They've scored 22 goals in five competitive fixtures this season, including a 10-0 away win in the Austrian Cup. Red Bull had been unbeaten in five home Champions League games but lost to both Napoli and Liverpool in the group stages last season. Needless to say, their opponents in this play-off match aren't quite at that level.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have had to go through two qualifying rounds to get this far in the Champions League. Wins have come against Suduva and Dinamo Brest but they face an uphill battle to reach the group stages. They haven't got off to a good start in their domestic league with just a point from two games, leaving them tenth in the table. Only one of their last four competitive games have been won, the home leg against Dinamo Brest.  The 3-0 away win at Suduva in the second qualifying round ended a run of four straight away losses in this competition, all seeing them fail to score. Red Bull should be able to progress to the group stages, go for them to win leading at both half and full time.