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Aktobe vs. Steaua Bucharest, Champions League third qualifying round, first leg.
Aktobe is the number 1 team in Kazakhstan and are in the lead in the league this season after 21 matches, but they are not really in a good situation currently, despite them beating Tbilisi 4-0 aggregate in the last round … Aktobe deserved to go trough but was lucky to qualify with that score and Tbilisi is not a scary side. In the internal league Aktobe won only 1 time in the last 8 games (!!!) and no later than 3 weeks ago they lost 7-1 to Kairat so they are under pressure. Surely Aktobe does not seem like a team cut out for Champions League level but they can be dangerous at home.
Aktobe lineup: Slidelnikov – Muldarov, Miroshnichenko, Arzumanyan, Anderson Santana – Tsarikayav, Pizzelli, Khayrullin, Korobkin – Danilo Neco, Antonov
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Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Many people (me included) were thinking Steaua will collapse this season after losing their manager (brought unproven Galca instead) and a couple of key players, however they started the season good with 4 wins and 1 draw. Maybe Steaua will not be the dominant force it was in the last 2 years in Romania and I don’t know if they are worthy of reaching the UCL group stages, but they are still a good team. Steaua defeated Stromsgodset 1-0 away and 2-0 at home in the last round but the tie could have been closer. Still I think Stromsgodset is not weaker than Aktobe. Steaua will miss important center back Gardos for this game but he was out of the lineup since the start of the season. Seems like Keseru will start in front after some disputes with the manager; which is important as he scores almost every time he plays and is the best striker in Romania in my opinion.
Steaua lineup: Arlauskis – Rapa, Szukala, Varela, Latovlevici – Prepelita, Sanmartean – Ad. Popa, Chipciu, Tanase – Keseru
Like all teams Steaua has its problems, but one thing is certain: they are a better team than Aktobe. Also Steaua played good lately while the hosts have been shaky, and not lastly, Steaua has so much more experience, which is always important in European games. This Aktobe team does not look so dangerous, the only worry for me is that they beat Tbilisi, but Steaua is in another league than Tbilisi. I can’t say that Steaua will win for sure, it`s tough to play in Kazakhstan and the pitch is in bad condition; a draw is not totally out of the question but for sure there are at least 50% chances for the visitors here, so good value on the odds. Steaua almost always deliveres in these kind of games so I think they will do it again today. My tip will be Steaua to win. Under 2,5 also looks OK but at 1.55 odds are too low. Correct score prediction: Aktobe – Steaua Bucharest 0-1.
Pick: Steaua Bucharest
Odds: 2.21 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.68
Event date: 30 July
