Petrocub vs Ordabasy Prediction 17.07.2024 | Champions League

• Competition: UEFA Champions League Qualifying - First Round 2nd Leg
• Date: Wednesday, 17th, July 2024
• Kickoff: 18:00 UK / 19.00 CEST
• Venue: Stadionul Zimbru (Chisinau)

The second leg of the Champions League qualifiers between Petrocub and Ordabasy will take place at the neutral Stadionul Zimbru on Wednesday, with a spot in the second round at stake.

Last season, FC Petrocub claimed the domestic double in a dominant fashion, first wrapping up the league campaign at the top, six points ahead of Moldovan powerhouse Sheriff Tiraspol, before routinely defeating Zimbru 3-1 in the Romanian Cup final on May 25. Before they begin their defense of the Super League championship belt, the Hincesti Lions will do everything in their power to secure a spot in one of UEFA's three tournaments, with their primary focus being to remain in European elite club competition for as long as possible.

Meanwhile, Ordabasy are making their debut on the biggest European club stage after clinching their first-ever league title last season, finishing five points ahead of second-placed Astana. In their bid to prolong their Champions League adventure, the Blue and Whites will count on their impressive domestic performance, where they are successfully defending their title, sitting atop the Kazakh Premier League with a narrow three-point lead over their nearest rival, Aktobe.

Petrocub vs Ordabasy Betting Tips: UNDER 2.5

Although plenty of opportunities were seen in the first leg, both sides' rearguards remained unpenetrated in the end, and we think there are realistic prospects of seeing another dull contest in terms of scoring, with a lone strike likely deciding the winner. Even though they are perceived as underdogs, FC Petrocub will be buoyed by their stellar home record, having emerged victorious in 12 straight matches across all formats, keeping their opponents off the scoresheet in seven of those encounters.

However, overcoming the Kazakh champions will be no easy feat, as Ordabasy has become a tough nut to crack on their travels, remaining unbeaten in all seven of their away fixtures this season (W4 D3). One reason they have become tough to beat on the road lies in their ironclad rearguard, as their net has remained unbreached on five occasions this term, with only one of their seven away matches featuring three or more goals, proving their preference for a defensive style of play. Given the weight of this encounter, coupled with the fact that both sides have been disciplined at the back, we assume a scarcity of goals once again, potentially leading to the outcome of this contest being decided via a penalty "lottery".