Prediction: BATE Borisov vs Rosenborg

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

The qualifying stages of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League continue this week, and now it’s time to witness a match between two league champions in their respective countries when BATE Borisov takes on Rosenborg. The Belarusian side will host the Norwegian title-holders this Wednesday at Borisov Arena. Kick-off is scheduled at 18:00 BST time. Sandro Schärer (Switzerland) will be the referee.

BATE Borisov

BATE Borisov have not stopped playing during the summer break, and they will enter this game with a lot of confidence since they have gone W8, D2 in their last 10 competitive matches. The reigning Belarusian champions already got through one stage of the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers since they wasted little to get past Piast Gliwice, even though things were not as easy as one would have imagined. BATE drew 1-1 at home, so they had to travel to Poland and secure a 2-1 win on the road to get to this stage. BATE usually do well when they score at least two goals, since they have netted at least twice in each of their last eight wins across all competitions. Can they take advantage of that and secure a positive result in this first leg against an equally experienced side?

Team News

BATE Borisov do not have any absentees ahead of this contest.

Rosenborg

Just like their counterparts in this contest, Rosenborg have also played regularly during the summer break and while they have not assembled a record that looks as good as BATE’s one (W8, L2), they enter this match on the heels of a five-game winning run where they have scored 15 times while conceding just thrice. The reigning Elitserien champions made easy work of their previous round opponents, Ireland’s Linfield, as they won the tie with a comfortable 6-0 victory on the aggregate score (4-0 at home, 0-2 on the road). But BATE represent a tougher opponent, since the Belarus-based club has become a regular fixture on European competitions in recent years. Can they pull the upset and get a positive result on foreign soil?

Team News

Rosenborg are at full strength entering this match.

Key Factors to Consider

• These two teams have never met before.
• BATE are undefeated in their last 10 competitive matches (W8, D2). Seven of those game have featured over 2.5 goals in total.
• Rosenborg, meanwhile, are riding a five-game winning streak. They have scored over 2.5 goals in each of their last four wins.
• The winner of this tie goes into the next round of the Champions League Qualifiers. Meanwhile, the loser will enter the UEFA Europa League qualifying stages.
• BATE failed to keep a clean sheet in seven of their last nine fixtures, and in four of their last five at home.
• Rosenborg have scored at least four goals in their last two outings.

Conclusion

This game has all the makings of an entertaining contest. Both sides are entering this match on good runs of form, and both have proven their scoring ability in recent matches. Therefore, I believe this match will feature over 2.5 goals in total.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: 888sport