Anderlecht v TNS
Football : Champions League, 3rd Qualifying Round
Tuesday 3 August 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm

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Anderlecht

The Belgian Champions won the first leg in Wales 3-1 last week and look to be in more than a commanding position as we enter the 2nd leg here. Anderlecht have begun their season in good form, winning the Belgium Super Cup and following that up with a comfortable 4-1 win on the opening weekend of their new domestic campaign as they hope to retain their title again.

Anderlecht were 4-1-2 in European competitions at home last season and that includes wins over the likes of Hamburg, Athletic Bilbao and Sivasspor. The side were free scoring at home and any similar kind of performance should make them far too good here.

It will be interesting to see if many changes are made in personnel for this game. The team only saw one change from the line up against TNS last week to the one that played on Saturday in the League.

The New Saints

TNS have gone further in Europe than any of their predecessors but it looks more than likely that the run has come to an end after their comfortable home defeat last week. The Welsh League is yet to kick off this year and TNS may see this as a chance to ensure fitness is at peak condition for their own kick off domestically.

The aide have yet to avoid defeat in their away excursions in Europe, and that includes a 1-0 loss at Hohemians this season. They were comfortably beaten by both Liverpool and Manchester City in recent seasons in Europe, and this is their biggest test since then.

I imagine TNS will play a side very similar to the one that started last week as they look to cause a gigantic shock in European football by overturning this first leg deficit.

Prediction

The tie is dead, in my opinion, and the bookmakers are giving nothing away with the prices quoted for a home win. Anderlecht should win this game comfortably and then they can settle down and await the draw on Friday for the final Qualifying phase before the Champions League group stages.

TNS will look to continue their preparations for the new season here as theur most successful European campaign likely comes to a close. The side will play for pride but have struggled away from home in Europe as they face a huge step up from the normal grind of domestic football.

I cannot see beyond a home win, and will play Anderlecht on the handicap to cover at a price better than evens.

The Pick :

Anderlecht 4-0 TNS

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Anderlecht - 2.25 Asian Handicap