Maccabi Haifa v Slovan Bratislava

Maccabi Haifa vs Slovan Bratislava Preview

Maccabi Haifa head into this 2nd leg tie holding a slender 2-1 lead following last week's win away in Slovakia and the Israeli hosts now return to their Sammy Ofer Stadium for this decisive return leg for the right to make it through to the qualifying play-offs.

Although the Israeli domestic top flight season hasn't yet started, Maccabi Haifa have built up their match fitness via the early qualifying rounds of this season's Champions League as the hosts have progressed from the 1st Qualifying Round to this current 3rd Qualifying Round stage.

Maccabi Haifa started their campaign with a resounding 6-1 victory over Maltese outfit Hamrun Spartans which took them through to the 2nd Qualifying Round where they met Moldovan club, Sheriff, who proved to be tricky customers.

Sheriff earned a 1-0 lead in the 1st leg but although Maccabi Haifa eventually overcame their opponents, the Israeli club needed extra-time to progress, claiming the tie 4-2 on aggregate.

The goals market appeals here though, as seven of Maccabi Haifa's last 10 home games in all competitions have resulted with both teams scoring.

Slovan Bratislava will be disappointed that they couldn't make the most of home advantage in last week's 2-1 defeat at their Štadión Tehelné pole but the Slovakian club will at least be boosted by the fact that they at least hit the back of the net and they will fancy their chances of hitting the back of the net gain here on Tuesday night as well.

The visitors have only just begun their new domestic top flight season after playing just three rounds of the Super Liga, so they too have been building match fitness by way of participating in the early qualifying rounds of this season's Champions League as well.

Victories against Luxembourg side, Swift Hesperange 3-1 on aggregate was followed up with a narrow and tense 3-2 win on aggregate against Bosnia-Herzegovina club, Zrinjski, which saw them progress through to this current 3rd Qualifying round stage.

Early indicators on the domestic front suggest goals for both teams in this clash look likely as two of Slovan Bratislava's opening three league matches have seen both teams score.

The bigger picture shows six of Slovan Bratislava's last 10 matches in all competitions have also resulted in both teams hitting the back of the net, so this market certainly looks appealing for this upcoming tie.

Maccabi Haifa v Slovan Bratislava Verdict

The three goals scored in last week's 1st leg tie were scored in the opening 15 minutes of the game and we could expect further goals in this return leg in what is anticipated to be an entertaining encounter at the Sammy Ofer Stadium,

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score Yes @ 1.80

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 4.33

Correct Score 1-1 @ 8.50