The New Saints v BK Hacken

The New Saints vs Hacken Preview

The New Saints were handed a fourth defeat on the trot in last week's 2-1 defeat in Sweden at Hacken in the 1st leg of these 1st Qualifying Round ties of this season's Champions League but although the Welsh hosts hold home advantage in this upcoming return leg, they will still face a tough assignment if they're to progress through to the next round.

Since the end of the Welsh domestic season back at the end of April, TNS had played four club friendlies in preparation for the Champions League qualifiers and despite recording a crushing 4-1 victory away at Crusaders, the Welsh outfit then slumped to losses against Linfield, Hamilton Academical and Cardiff City prior to last week's 2-1 loss at Hacken.

TNS must now win this 2nd leg tie by two goals or more in order to book their place in the 2nd Qualifying Round of this competition but wins at this level have been hard to come by for Tuesday night's hosts.

Indeed, TNS have managed to capture just three wins from their last 11 ties in the Champions League whilst also being dealt seven defeats in the process.

By contrast, Hacken racked up a third win on the trot in all competitions on the weekend when they registered a comprehensive 4-2 home win against Brommapojkarna in the Swedish Allsvenskan which followed previous wins against AIK (Allsvenskan) and last week's 1st leg tie against TNS.

Results overall have certainly been encouraging for Hacken who have suffered just two defeats out of their last 12 matches in all competitions, both of which were against Djurgarden in the Allsvenskan and a club friendly respectively, but the visitors have also picked up eight wins in the process as well.

Form away from home will also stand Hacken in good stead as the Swedish outfit have lost just twice in their last 31 outings on the road and having collected no fewer than 18 wins along the way, the visitors look to hold the upper hand again in this two-legged tie with Welsh hosts, TNS.

The New Saints v Hacken Verdict

Form at home for TNS at Champions League level have been rather sketchy for the Welsh hosts as they have registered just six wins from their 16 home ties in this competition and having also lost nine of these games, TNS look to have their work cut out here for this return leg.

Although Hacken are making their debut in the Champions League this season, the Swedish visitors proved they belong in these qualifiers following last week's win and they should once again have the quality and edge up front to progress through to the next round of qualifiers on Tuesday night.

Therefore, our main bet will be Hacken win @ 1.55

Other side bets worth considering:

Hacken win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.30

Correct score: Hacken 2-1 @ 8.50