BATE will be hoping to make home advantage count when they welcome PSV Eindhoven to Borisov for the first leg of their Champions League qualification play-off match on Tuesday.
The Belarusian champions have lost just one of their last 12 Champions League matches at the Borisov Arena, taking four points from Roma and Bayer Leverkusen on their last group stage appearance in 2015.
Latest Odds
However, they are 13/5 (3.60) outsiders with bet365 to put themselves in a strong position to qualify once again by coming out on top in this clash.
The Boeren have also not reached the group stages since 2015, but can be backed at evens (2.00) to take command of the tie by pulling off a precious away victory here.
Both of the hosts’ qualification matches on home turf this season have resulted in draws, and there are odds of 5/2 (3.50) available on them being held to yet another stalemate in this one.
Team News
Hervaine Moukam and Luwagga Kisito could be set for a debut for Alyaksey Baha’s side after joining in the last week, with Dzyanis Palyakow could also in line to feature after rejoining from Cypriot club APOEL Nicosia.
New signings Ryan Thomas and Trent Sainsbury are not part of the travelling squad, while Maximiliano Romero and Ramon Pascal Lundqvist have also left behind due to fitness issues.
Tough away day
Although they have not reached the Champions League group stages in three years, BATE are still recognised as one of the tougher opponents in this play-off round.
Few teams would relish the long trip to Borisov, where the hosts have conceded just nine goals in their last 12 Champions League fixtures and lost just once in that run.
Having scored just four goals in their last 10 European fixtures and failed to win a single one, Mark van Bommel’s team will certainly not be feeling overly confident as they head to Eastern Europe.
Predictions
Instead, odds of 8/11 (1.73) seem like solid value on the home side frustrating PSV and keeping the scoreline to under 2.5 goals for their 10th Champions League match in 12 in front of their own fans.
Under 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73)for a 3pt stake with dabblebet
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