The third qualifying round of the Champions League sees some of the bigger guns of European football enter the competition. These clubs must make sure that complacency does not become an issue against their supposedly inferior opponents.
Whilst BATE are not one of the top teams in Europe, they have won more Belarusian Premier Leagues than anybody else and are currently sitting top of the table half way through the 2016 season – going for their eleventh consecutive league title.
It is not just domestically that BATE have done well, they have reached the group stages of the Champions League for the last two seasons. They are one of those teams that nobody takes notice of but are a big cog in European football.
Although Dundalk were the first Irish side to go through three rounds in the old European cup, recent history has been less than kind. They did win the League of Ireland title in 2015, but this was their first since the 1994/95 season. They reached this stage of the competition after knocking out Icelandic side Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar in the second qualifying round on away goals.
There is no value in backing BATE for a straight win so other markets must be explored. With this in mind I have gone with a win for the Belarusians and over 2.5 goals in the match at 31/20.
BATE are the overwhelming favourites and you would fancy them to put this tie to bed at home in the first leg. Furthermore, recent matches involving Dundalk have involved plenty of goals – both for and against the Irishmen – so if Dundalk manage to score then you are even more likely to see a return.
Everything looks towards that BATE Borisov win and over 2.5 goals at 8/5 with Sportingbet.
See all of today’s tips here.