Apoel Nicosia v Petrocub

APOEL Nicosia vs Petrocub Preview

Having played four pre-season warm-up games where the hosts have remained unbeaten, Cypriot hosts, APOEL Nicosia, will be in quietly confident mood as they prepare for this 1st leg tie in the Champions League against Moldovan visitors, Petrocub, on the back of a win and three draws, while Petrocub safely negotiated their way past Kazakhstan side Ordabasy in the previous 1st qualifying round by virtue of a 1-0 win on aggregate.

APOEL have yet to start the new Cypriot top flight season but nevertheless, the hosts will feel upbeat about their chances in this 1st leg tie as they not only finished top of the Cypriot 1. Division table at the end of the regular season, they also claimed top spot in the subsequent Championship Round group by virtue of a superior goal difference over runners-up, AEK Larnaca.

The bigger picture shows APOEL Nicosia have slipped to just four defeats within their last 22 matches in all competitions which have come in the shape of losses to Aris Limassol, Omonia Nicosia (twice) and Anorthosis, but David Gallego's side have also managed to pick up 11 wins along the way as well.

Results on home soil at their Neo GSP ground have also been impressive as the hosts have suffered just two defeats in their previous 20 games in their own backyard, collecting 14 wins in the process.

Petrocub are also yet to begin their domestic top flight in the Moldovan Super Liga but they will also fancy their chances in this upcoming 1st leg tie at the Neo GSP having inflicted a heavy 5-1 thrashing over Romanian outfit Farul Constanta in a pre-season friendly along with accounting for Kazakhstan side, Ordabasy, in the 1st qualifying round of the Champions League.

A 0-0 draw away from home in the 1st leg was followed up with a 1-0 victory on home soil at their Stadionul Orasenesc, and no doubt the visitors will be keen to repeat this performance against their upcoming hosts, APOEL Nicosia, on Tuesday night.

Results over a long period of time certainly suggest Petrocub could be in with a decent shout here as the Moldovan visitors are unbeaten in their last 29 matches in all competitions while also picking up 20 wins in the process.

However, this is Petrocub's first ever appearance at Champions League level and although they managed to see off Ordabasy, their upcoming hosts are of a much higher quality in this 2nd qualifying round.

APOEL Nicosia v Petrocub Verdict

APOEL Nicosia have won four out of their last seven ties in the Champions League and previous experience at this level should see APOEL Nicosia over the line in this 1st leg tie at Neo GSP on Tuesday night.

Therefore, our main bet will be APOEL Nicosia win @ 1.55

Other side bets worth considering:

APOEL Nicosia win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.00

Correct Score: APOEL Nicosia 1-0 @ 7.50