We’re making a rare trip to Luxembourg, as the Champions League qualifiers begin.
UEL heroes to win again
Dudelange v Valletta
Tuesday 9 July, 19:00
We slipped over in Iceland last night, as our boys Vikingur were close to pulling off an upset, but conceded a 77th-minute winner against Hafnarfjordur.
We’ll head to Luxembourg now, and we can hear the faint strains of a famous anthem, because Dudelange are facing Valletta in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.
Dudelange are used to winning. They have won their national title in each of the last four seasons, and they did the league and cup double last season. Last term they also got all the way to the group stage of the Europa League, which was an amazing achievement.
Dudelange knocked out some big hitters on their way to the UEL’s big dance. They dumped out Polish giants Legia Warsaw and Romanian side CFR Cluj, and they’ll have gained great experience from facing Olympiakos, Milan and Betis twice.
Maltese champions Valletta fell at the first hurdle in both the Champions League and Europa League last season, and they haven’t won a European qualifying tie since 2017, when they overcame Folgore from San Marino.
Dudelange have built up lots of experience at this level, and they haven’t lost a competitive home match since October. They finished last season by winning six of their last seven home games in all competitions. I’ll back the hosts to take a sizeable first-leg lead.
2019 P/L
Points Staked: 90
Points Returned: 76.44
P/L: -13.56 points
Source: BetFair Tips
