Egnatia vs Petrocub Predictions
Egnatia and Petrocub meet in Albania on Tuesday with their Champions League first qualifying round tie finely poised after a 1-1 draw in Moldova.
The Albanian champions showed plenty of character to earn a draw despite playing the entire second half with ten men.
I have my stake on a home win, but Petrocub can bring up the BTTS pick.
Egnatia Can Finish the Job
- Egnatia won 4 of their last 6 matches
- Egnatia won 3 of their last 4 home matches (European competitions)
- Egnatia have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches
- Petrocub have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches
- Petrocub lost 7 of their last 11 away matches (European competitions)
First Ever Meeting Finishes Level
Egnatia and Petrocub will meet for the second time on Wednesday. Last week’s first-ever encounter finished as a 1-1 draw.
Egnatia Earn Hard-Fought Draw
Egnatia will feel confident of securing their place in the next phase of the Champions League qualifiers after producing a disciplined display in the first leg.
Despite losing Albano Aleksi to a red card before half-time, the Albanian champions frustrated Petrocub throughout the second period to leave Moldova with a crucial draw.
Petru Popescu fired Petrocub ahead inside the opening minute before Altin Kryeziu levelled before the break.
Nevil Dede’s side have dominated Albanian football in recent seasons, winning a third successive league title last term.
Still, despite their dominance, clean sheets have been rare for the home side. KF conceded at least once in 12 of their last 15 matches.
Competing in the Champions League qualifiers for a third successive season, Egnatia won three of their last four European qualifiers on home soil.
Petrocub Miss Their Chance
Petrocub arrive in Albania after failing to capitalise on Egnatia’s first-leg red card in last week’s 1-1 draw in Moldova.
Despite making the perfect start through Petru Popescu’s first-minute opener, the Moldovan champions were unable to make their extra man count.
Shota Makharadze’s side were then held to another 1-1 draw in a domestic contest against FC Baiti last weekend. Again, Petrocub were unable to hold on to a lead as Vladislav Costin’s late goal rescued a point for the home side.
Like the home side, clean sheets have been infrequent for the Moldovans in recent fixtures. Makharadze’s men conceded at least one goal in five of their last six matches.
Egnatia vs Petrocub Team News
Egnatia (4-3-3): Levan Tandilashvili; Geralb Smajli, Eneo Bitri, Eljon Sota, Andrey Yago; Fernando Medeiros, Alessandro Albanese, Altin Kryeziu; Afonso Rodrigues, Daniel Adjessa, Ildi Gruda.
Egnatia are unable to call on suspended midfielder Albano Aleksi following his red card in the first leg.
Altin Kryeziu should retain his place after scoring the equaliser in Moldova, while Alessandro Albanese is expected to feature in the hosts' midfield.
The hosts have no reported injury issues.
Petrocub (4-4-2): Cristian Avram; Catalin Cucos, Mihai Platica, Ion Bors, Ion Jardan; Ovidiu David, Jessie Guera Djou, Victor Bogaciuc, Mihai Lupan; Dan Puscas, Petru Popescu.
Petrocub boss Shota Makharadze is unlikely to make many changes after a solid first-leg display.
Petru Popescu will partner Dan Puscas in the visitors' attack after opening the scoring inside the first minute in Moldova.