Aris – Rakow : Preview & Prediction
A date with Copenhagen or Sparta Prague awaits the winner of this third round UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifier, although it is Aris Limassol who have most of the work to do after losing 2-1 in the first leg. On the plus side for the home side, they have both home advantage and the ability to concentrate fully on this game, with the Cypriot league starting later this week.
Whatever happens, Aris are at least assured of participating in the group stage of a European competition for the first time in their history. However, I would rather it was in the UCL than Europe’s third-tier competition, and it would be foolish to bet against them after scoring 14 times in their four competitive games this season en route to lifting the Cyprus Super Cup and humiliating BATE in the preliminary round.
On the other hand, Raków Częstochowa’s domestic campaign has already started rather tepidly, failing to win the Polish Super Cup before registering a patchy start after three engagements in their Ekstraklasa title defense (G1, E1, P1). The schedule has not been particularly kind to Raków either, who were crowned Polish champions for the first time last season and who will have to make a trip of approximately 3000 km after an away game.
That shouldn’t be too much of a problem, however, as Raków have never lost a third round match in a European qualifier over 90 minutes (G3, E2), although they did secure what will be their first group stage appearance at European level after their historic title the previous campaign. Like the home side, Raków will be hoping the dream can continue in Europe’s premier club competition, and an imperious overall record in Europe (G11, E4, P2) suggests a date with destiny in the playoffs awaits.
Players to watch: Yannick Gomis scored three of Aris’ 11 goals in the UCL qualifying round, and with four goals in five European appearances in his career, he will be hungry for more. Trying to outdo him will be Raków midfielder Vladyslav Kochergin, who has a chance to score for the third game in a row for the first time since leaving Ukraine after scoring in the first or last ten minutes in his last two appearances.
Key stat: Raków have kept five clean sheets in their eight matches in their history in qualifying for European competitions.
Aris – Rakow : Betting Tips
Aris – Win Odds: 2.25
