Champions League Quali, 2nd round, first leg, Tuesday, 22.07.2024 at 20:00
No one would have thought that Ballkani would be eliminated after their 1-0 first-leg win away to Santa Coloma. An early red card for the Albanian club, who were still in the Conference League group stage last year, made the miracle possible.
Santa Coloma’s journey continues in the Champions League qualifiers. Midtjylland, the reigning Danish champions, now await, and in my opinion they are a few sizes too big for the Andorra players.
However, the hosts will at least want to keep their chances alive in the home game and throw everything into it. This could get turbulent, so I’m going for the combination of 3-6 goals in the match using Betano Bet Builder!
Big success for Santa Coloma in international business. For the first time, the club got involved in the Champions League qualifiers and made it through to the second round at the first attempt.
Previously, UE had failed seven times in the first round of the Europa League qualifiers and in 2022/2023 finished directly in the Conference League. Santa Coloma never came close to advancing once.
But after the first league title, the next big success was not long in coming
A first-leg defeat in their own stadium suggested that this would be their ninth straight European exit. Ballkani were regarded as the more experienced and better team. However, I was not entirely convinced that the Albanians would be successful again in my betting tip.
I decided to put the goal of both teams in the running, as it was Santa Coloma who were challenged. An early red card turned the game in a different direction. Ballkani wanted to make it 0-0, but a last-minute goal took the game into extra time and penalties
Now it’s on to the next game for the club from the small state against Midtjylland. Betano is already hinting that it won’t go any further in the Champions League qualifiers, with a 12.0 against Midtjylland’s 1.01 in the “Who will reach the next round?” market.
In terms of squad value alone, the teams are already worlds apart, with the Danish champions having a 60-million-euro squad and Santa Coloma’s 5-million-euro squad weaker in all positions
Of course, you can’t analyze purely on the basis of the market. For me, many factors play a role in the search for the perfect odds. Especially at the start of the season, one or two big clubs stumble when not all systems are in place.
Small lapses in defense can have fatal consequences. The competitive season has started again for the four-time champions of Denmark. However, the opening game only resulted in a 1:1 draw against Aarhus, which FC was well served with
A 0-0 draw was followed by a series of high-scoring test matches for Midtjylland in the 2024/2025 season. 3-0 against Horsens, 0-4 against Aarhus and the dress rehearsal against relegated Premier League side Luton Town ended in a 2-1 win.
However, the league opener against Aarhus didn’t really convince me. However, last year’s fifth-placed team is still much stronger than Santa Coloma. They did the double in Andorra, winning their fourth cup in total.
After the European Championship, they only played one friendly against Queens Park Rangers, a 2-0 defeat. In the two first-round Champions League qualifiers, Unio Esportiva scored in both games
The “Esquirols” (squirrels) are already the clear underdogs against Midtjylland in the first leg at 10.5 in front of their home crowd. Midtjylland has a 1.22 in the best sports betting apps, and you can bet on the draw at 5.60.
For the Champions League qualifiers, the champions even get the stadium of league opponents FC Andorra. With 3,306 seats, the Estadi Nacional is the largest soccer facility in the nation, where the national soccer team also plays its matches.
With two draws against Denmark’s second-best offense? That might be difficult. In any case, I expect Santa Coloma to throw everything into the first leg. Especially as Midtjylland have conceded at least one goal in four of the five matches played in 2024/25.
A 1.93 is waiting for the goal of both teams at Betano. There you can receive a 20 euro free bet with no deposit using the voucher code promotion.
Personally, I feel more comfortable with the 3-6 goals option with rather low odds in the over-goals segment. The -1 handicap success at 1.65 for the visitors is also interesting.
Conclusion: Midtjylland is clearly the stronger team and plays the better soccer. The start to the season against Aarhus did not go as hoped. If the test matches are included, the Danish champions kept a clean sheet in only one of five matches.
I am confident of an away win on Tuesday against the underdogs from Andorra, but only the -1 handicap is worthwhile. Midtjylland would need three goals to concede. At the same time, the goal of both teams is too risky for me.
I therefore opt for a match in which Santa Coloma is doomed to go ahead against the Danes, it will be too difficult away from home. For the bet that 3-6 goals will be scored. The goal from both teams, the handicap win, but also a resounding win to nil is secured.
My Santa Coloma Midtjylland tip: 3-6 goals!
