Prediction: The New Saints vs Hacken

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Simply looking to finish off the job and extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure on Tuesday night, Hacken will travel to Wales when they meet The New Saints.

The New Saints

Starting with the hosts, putting in a nightmare first-leg performance on foreign soil last week as they eventually slumped to a routine 3-1 loss out in Sweden, Craig Harrison’s men will know that they face a major uphill battle here. While the Welsh giants might have breezed their way to another domestic crown last season, TNS certainly failed to find much stability during their summer run. Suffering a pair of friendly defeats at the hands of Cardiff and Hamilton during their pre-season preparations earlier in the month, the Welsh giants are trying to find some much-needed stability at the back. Tipped as an underdog contender when they return to Park Hall in midweek, The New Saints should be concerned by their extended European issues on home soil. It should be highlighted, TNS have won just a pair of their previous seven Champions League qualifying showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to June 2016.

Team News

Bagging that consolation strike out in Sweden last week and in the midst of what has been a real summer flurry, attacking talisman Declan McManus will spearhead TNS’ charge here.

One-time West Ham schoolboy Josh Pask will once again partner 29-year-old Ryan Astles at the heart of Harrison’s midfield. Ex-Shrewsbury defender Joshua Daniels will be hoping to keep his place at left-back.

Hacken

As for the visitors, putting in an eye-catching first-leg performance last week as they eventually claimed a 3-1 victory, Hacken will simply be looking to finish off the job here. Firmly sat in pole position when they travel to Wales in midweek, the reigning Swedish champions are enjoying what has been a real summer romp. Picking up some perfect momentum last weekend as they claimed an action-packed 4-2 win at home against Brommapojkarna, Per-Mathias Hogmo’s men have now won each of their last three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-4. Likewise, unbeaten in their previous seven competitive showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to May 24th – Hacken should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Finding a major clinical edge in the final third, the Wasps will be calling on a repeat performance on Tuesday night.

Team News

Dealing with a pair of recent knocks, Hacken look set to be without the duo of Armane Romeo and Johan Hammar when they travel to Wales on Tuesday night.

Making a host of changes in last weekend’s 4-2 victory against Brommapojkarna, the likes of Valgeir Lunddal Fridriksson and Simon Sandberg are expected to be handed a full recall in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg showdown at the Bravida Arena last week, Hacken picked up a 3-1 victory.
• Tuesday’s guests have won each of their last three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-4.
• The New Saints have won just a pair of their previous seven Champions League qualifying showdowns on home soil – a run that stems all the way back to June 2016.
• However, in what has been a remarkable run, TNS have notched 19 strikes in just their last four domestic appearances at Park Hall.
• Hacken have managed to muster just a single clean sheet from any of their previous eight showdowns on the road.

Conclusion

Claiming a deserved 3-1 victory on home soil last week and firmly sat in pole position to extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure, Hacken will simply be looking to finish off the job here. However, while the Swedish heavyweights might be tipped as a standout contender once again here, Tuesday’s guests have recorded just a single clean sheet on their travels since the start of April. Likewise, with The New Saints notching a stunning 19 strikes in just their last four domestic showdowns in front of their own supporters, neutrals could be treated to another enjoyable affair here. In a contest that could see chances come thick and fast, we are backing both teams to find the net here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet