Champions League
2014-07-22 - Debrecen vs Cliftonville
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Champions League Qualifiers
Tuesday 22 July 2014 Kick Off 7:30pm
Debrecen
It was a little frustrating for Debrecen to only come back from Northern Ireland with a goalless draw in the first leg, even if that makes them a huge favourite to move through to the next round of the Champions League. However, Debrecen will know only too well that the result at Cliftonville doesn't mean anything as their last appearance in the Champions League attested to.
Two years ago, Debrecen earned a 1-1 draw away from home at BATE Borisov in the first leg of a Champions League qualifier, but they were subsequently beaten 0-2 at home and exited the tournament. They may have a chance for revenge if they win this tie with BATE a potential opponent in the next round of qualifiers, but they won't be taking this tie for granted having lost 2 of their last 3 at home in the Champions League.
Debrecen have only won 2 of their last 5 home games in all competitions going back to last season and they have lost 2 of those games too as they almost let the Hungarian title slip through their fingers. They have also lost their last 3 home games in European competition and all without scoring a goal.
Cliftonville
There is no doubt that Cliftonville have surpassed some expectations by avoiding defeat in their first leg of this Champions League tie, but the goalless draw at home gives them a mountain to climb in this second leg. Tommy Breslin knows the size of the task for his side, but he is also aware that 'stranger things have happened' in football and Cliftonville head to Hungary with goals on their mind.
It is still going to take something monumental for Cliftonville to earn the result against Debrecen to move through to the next round of the tournament. Both teams have a real difference in quality, but Cliftonville have already improved on last season when they were beaten 5-0 at Celtic on aggregate after losing both legs of that tie.
The side ended the season by winning 5 of their final 6 away games in all competitions and Cliftonville will hope to carry that form into the new season and this Champions League tie. However, it has to be said that the majority of those matches came against teams far below the level that Debrecen bring to the table.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive meeting between these teams in Hungary.
Prediction
While the Hungarian and Northern Irish domestic Leagues are at different levels, Debrecen also supply a number of international players to the national team and it will take something special from Cliftonville to knock them out.
Debrecen haven't had the best recent results at home in European competition, but they rarely play teams like Cliftonville where the home side will be a big favourite to win. Even scoring a goal would be seen as a success for Cliftonville and I do think Debrecen win the game with a clean sheet to boot.
The Pick :
Debrecen 2-0 Cliftonville
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Debrecen Win to Nil @ 1.83 (Paddy Power)
