Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik UCL Preview
Vikingur Reykjavik hold a 2-1 lead as they travel to Hapoel Beer Sheva in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League second-round qualifier.
Both teams showed some attacking quality in the first meeting, and Wednesday's clash should be no different.
Key Stats
- Hapoel Beer Sheva have scored in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Hapoel Beer Sheva have conceded in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Vikingur Reykjavik have scored in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Vikingur Reykjavik have conceded in seven of their last eight matches in all competitions.
- Both teams were on target in the first leg.
One Previous Meeting
The only previous meeting between both teams was the UEFA Champions League first-leg clash, which ended 2-1 in favour of Vikingur Reykjavik.
Hapoel Desperate for a Turnaround
The task for Hapoel Beer Sheva on Wednesday is to overturn the deficit after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg. They appeared to be holding out for a draw following Kings Kangwa’s second-half equaliser but conceded the winner four minutes from time.
That result is part of a poor run of form for Hapoel Beer Sheva, who are winless in six of their last seven matches in all competitions. Ran Kozuch's team have suffered five defeats in this run.
One positive for Hapoel Beer Sheva is that they have shown some attacking quality lately, scoring in their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they remain unconvincing at the back and are without a clean sheet in nine of those fixtures.
Vikingur Showing Good Form
Vikingur Reykjavik were full value for the first-leg win after seeing more possession and creating clearer chances. In the end, a second-half brace from Nikolaj Hansen was enough to earn them the victory.
The Icelanders have been in good form lately and head into this clash unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They eased to a 5-1 home victory over Keflavik in a domestic fixture last weekend.
As evidenced by the win last weekend, Vikingur Reykjavik often impress going forward and have scored in their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, Solvi Ottesen's team are a bit shaky at the back and are without a clean sheet in seven of the last eight fixtures in this run.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Hapoel Beer Sheva (4-3-3): Ofir Marciano; Guy Mizrahi, Miguel Vitor, Djibril Diop, Ofir Davidzada; Kings Kangwa, Lucas Ventura, Niv Yehoshua; Mohamed Abu Rumi, Igor Zlatanovic, Amir Ganah.
Hapoel Beer Sheva picked up no injuries or suspensions in the first leg. Kangwa should retain his place in midfield after netting his team's lifeline, while Zlatanovic is expected to feature in attack.
Vikingur Reykjavik (4-3-3): Aron Fridriksson; Karl Gunnarsson, Oliver Ekroth, Gunnar Vatnhamar, Helgi Gudjonsson; Gylfi Sigurdsson, Valdimar Ingimundarson, Daniel Hafsteinsson; Oskar Borgthorsson, Nikolaj Hansen, Aron Thrandarson.
Vikingur Reykjavik also have a fully fit squad heading into this clash and are likely to stick with much of the team that won the first leg. Following his brace last week, Hansen should lead the line once again while Ekroth is expected to start at the back.