On Tuesday
Hapoel Tel-Aviv hosts
FC Red Bull Salzburg in the play-off second leg of the
UEFA Champions League. After the 3:2 away win Hapoel have the better cards to advance to the group stage.
Hapoel Tel-Aviv have a very big chance to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time. The Israeli champions celebrated a 3:2 away win in Salzburg through goals from keeper Vincent Enyeama (penalty), Ben Sahar and Itay Shechter. So they need just a draw in the second leg to reach the CL group stage. Hapoel was convincing by their quickness and combination play. In last season's UEFA Europa League group stage Hapoel Tel-Aviv knocked out Austria's record champion Rapid Wien with a 5:1 win at home and a 3:0 victory away.
Red Bull Salzburg's chances on the Champions League group stage are on a minimum. After the 2:3 at home the Red Bulls have to win the away game in Tel-Aviv, in view of Hapoel's home strength a nearly insoluble job. Hapoel Tel-Aviv have lost no home game since 21 September, 2009. In European cup matches they are unbeaten at home since 18 September, 2008. On their road to the current play-off-round Hapoel knocked out Hapoel Željezničar Sarajevo (5:1) and FK Aktobe (3:2).
Hapoel Tel-Aviv – FC Red Bull Salzburg UEFA Champions League: play-offs, first leg 3:2
Date: 24 August, 2010 - 20:45 CET
Stadium: Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv
Referee: Pieter Vink (Netherlands)
Hapoel Tel-Aviv: Keeper: Enyeama
Defenders: Kende, Badeer, Douglas, Ben Dayan
Midfielders: Vermouth, Vucicevic, Yadin, Rocchi
Forwards: Sahar, Shechter
Coach: Eli Guttmann
Injured:
Booked: Shivhon, Zahavi
Red Bull Salzburg: Keeper: Tremmel
Defenders: Schwegler, Sekagya, Afolabi, Svento
Midfielders: Pokrivac, Zarate, Mendes, Leitgeb
Forwards: Alan, Boghossian
Coach: Huub Stevens
Injured: Ulmer, Gustafsson, Cziommer, Nelisse
Booked: Schiemer, Jantscher
In the Bloomfeld stadium it is always difficult for the guest teams to win. Hapoel Tel-Aviv have lost just one home match in the 2009/10 season, in European matches they were unbeaten. So I see here pros for the home team. Referee of this second leg play-off-game is the well experienced Pieter Vink from Netherlands.
Last meeting: 18.08.2009, Red Bull Salzburg – Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2:3
Wins Hapoel Tel-Aviv: 1
Wins Red Bull Salzburg: 0
Draws: 0
Hapoel Tel-Aviv will win the home game against Red Bull Salzburg and advance to the Champions League group stage for the first time. My tip:
Win Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
The best odds for '
Win Hapoel Tel-Aviv' you find at
Tipico,
Bet365 and
888sport.
