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Interesting game here between romanians Astra Giurgiu and israelian team Maccabi Haifa. In the first leg Maccabi won 2-0 and missed many more chances, so they are favorites to go through. But they still have a tough test ahead of them in Romania.
Astra is one of the top 4 teams in Romania and they were in fantastic form until last week, winning 4 of 4 in the league and knocking out Domzale, Omonia Nicosia and Trencin in the Europa League qualifying rounds. But then came the game in Haifa, a 0-2 loss after a disappointing performance, and then another loss, 1-2 at home against Petrolul in the league. Astra will miss important offensive players Budescu, Yahaya and Tembo, but also important defensive ones (Seto, Matel and Gaman – the latter, their best centre back, leaving the club).
Maccabi is a slightly better team than Astra, they like to play attacking football. They just started the league with a 3-1 win against Shmoma over the weekend. Maccabi has a full squad available for this game, so that`s good news for them.
It remains to be seen how the hosts will look today, but one thing is for sure: this team is a super offensive one, with a strong attacking line and a very poor defense. In the league, Astra has a goal difference of 16-6 after 5 rounds, all their matches ending with over 2,5 goals. Against Maccabi the offense didn`t work, but the defense was as its usual low, with the israelians creating tons of chances. The first leg should have gone over 2,5. Maccabi is also an attacking minded team, they won`t park the bus, they will try to score a goal that would basically seal qualification.
Expect Astra to come out strong and leave spaces at the back. The hosts have the strength to break down Maccabi`s defense, as they are much better than showed in the first leg. At the other goal, the israelians have every chance to punish Astra`s poor defense on counters. Over 2,5 seems safe, the only argument against this bet is Astra`s missings in attack, but they also have unavailable players in defense, so things even out. Also, I wouldn`t touch an Astra win with all those missing players.
I think Maccabi will edge this 2-1, maybe a 2-2 draw is also on the cards. But the odds for over 2,5 goals are fantastic and I`m going with big confidence on this bet.
Pick: over 2,5
Odds: 1.91 @ Sbobet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 8.19
Event date: 29 August
