TNS v Anderlecht
Football : Champions League, 2nd Qualifying Round
Tuesday 27 July 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm

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TNS

TNS are the Welsh Champions and made a little bit of history in the last round by progressing past the first stage of a European competition for the first time in the clubs' history and also becoming the first Welsh side to win through a round in the Champions League since the beginning of the decade.

The New Saints won the Welsh League by 2 points last season and then managed to come through the last round of this competition by beating Bohemians of Ireland 4-1 on aggregate. They won their home leg 4-0 after losing in Ireland.

The Welsh side also won 14 of their 17 home games in the League last season, drawing 3 of those, but this should be a test harder than they have faced in some time. This is the biggest test they have faced in a European tie since the visits of English clubs Liverpool and Manchester City. Both of these sides won in Wales, but TNS proved capable of rising to the levels of their more illustrious opponents in that game.

There are no new injury concerns for TNS in this game and they will rely on the international experience of captain Steve Evans to help them through this game.

Anderlecht

Anderlecht won the Belgium League at a canter last season, 12 points clear of Gent in 2nd place. They only lost 3 of their 28 League games and continued that winning mentality with another win in the Belgium Super Cup last weekend. They will feel this is a superb opportunity to progress to the final Qualifying round of the Champions League and a chance to move into the illustrious group stages of the competition.

The Champions of Belgium compiled an 11-1-2 away record last season and only conceded 10 goals in those games. While they were competing at a higher level than TNS last season, Anderlecht managed to win 2 away games in Europe from the 7 they played. They also exited this competition to Lyon in the final Play Off stage before the groups and subsequently reached the last 16 of the Europa League before losing to Hamburg.

Anderlecht played their first game of the season at the weekend and are likely to bring their full squad over from that game.

Prediction

This is a huge game for TNS and the whole of Wales will be rooting for them, but it would take a shock of epic proportions to see them oust Anderlecht over the 2 legs. TNS do not compete at this level often enough and their fitness levels could be exposed as the game wears on.

Anderlecht will be more than confident in their ability to win this game at home, and will know that the Welsh side are likely to be plucky and keen in this leg in front of their home fans.

TNS had lost 8 of their last 9 European games at home before this seasons win over Bohemians. Only Liverpool and Manchester City had come away with more than a 1 goal win from their trip to play TNS since 2003 which is some sort of an achievement for The New Saints as it stands.

Anderlecht should win here but I will play another bet for a bit of value and that is the Belgium Champions to win by 1 goal.

The Pick :

TNS 0-1 Anderlecht

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Match to be a tie with TNS +1 English handicap start (equivalent of Anderlecht to win by 1 goal) @ 3.75 (Betsson)