Apoel Nicosia vs Petrocub Hincesti Prediction: 23/7/2024

Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus will host Moldovan champions FC Petrocub Hincesti in what promises to be one of the more competitive matches in the Second Qualifying Round of the Champions League. While Apoel Nicosia has a wealth of European competition experience, FC Petrocub Hincesti is eager to pull off an upset in what is expected to be a closely fought first leg. Let’s see which team our prediction will favor for this crucial encounter.

Apoel Nicosia, with their home advantage and extensive European history, are considered favorites to win this match. The Cypriot champions clinched their league title on a head-to-head record, finishing level with AEK Larnaca at 73 points last season. Under the guidance of Spanish manager David Gallego, Apoel’s diverse squad has had a mixed pre-season with one win and three draws from their four friendly matches. Their most recent result was a 0-0 draw against AEK Larnaca.

FC Petrocub, on the other hand, celebrated a double triumph last season by winning both the Moldovan Cup and their first-ever Moldovan Super Liga title under manager Andrei Martin. Their squad is mainly composed of local players, supplemented by three Ghanaians and a Cameroonian. Historically, Petrocub has struggled in European competitions, managing only eleven goals while conceding 21 in 19 matches.

In the first round of Champions League qualifying, Petrocub faced Kazakhstan’s Ordabasy, drawing 0-0 away before securing a narrow 1-0 victory at home.

The winner of this tie will advance to face either Selje or Slovan Bratislava in the Third Qualifying Round.

 

Key Points for Apoel Nicosia vs. Petrocub Hincesti

– Both teams’ last two friendly matches saw under 2.5 goals and only one of those matches had both teams scoring.
– Apoel Nicosia has seen both teams score in just four of their last 13 European fixtures.
– Only five of Petrocub’s 19 European fixtures have had over 2.5 goals.
– Both teams have scored in just five of Petrocub’s past 19 competitive European matches.

 

Prediction

For the first leg of the Champions League Second Qualifying Round between Apoel Nicosia and FC Petrocub, we predict Under 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score – No.

Given the lack of recent domestic data, our prediction relies on the observed trends from their friendly matches and Petrocub’s first-round qualifying matches. Across these six fixtures, only one saw both teams scoring, and none featured over 2.5 goals. Therefore, combining these options into a single bet offers good value.