Prediction: Valmiera vs Olimpija Ljubljana

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Latvian team Valmiera will play host to NK Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia on Wednesday afternoon in the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifier.

Valmiera lost the first leg 2-1, so they will need to win by at least two goals to advance to the next round. The winner of this match will face either Ballkani of Kosovo or Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria in the second qualifying round.

Valmiera

Valmiera’s late goal in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Olimpija gives them hope and a chance to overturn the deficit in the second leg. Despite being two goals down, their fighting spirit was evident as they managed to pull one back, showing that they are not ready to give up on their European campaign.

Although they face a tough task against Olimpija, Valmiera’s domestic form and recent cup win indicate that they have the quality to compete and make an impact in European competitions. Winning the Latvian Higher League last year and their strong performance in the Latvian Cup demonstrate that they have the capability to excel in their domestic competitions.

Playing at their home ground, the Jana Dalina Stadium, where they have an impressive nine-game unbeaten run, should give Valmiera added confidence. The fact that they have scored 22 goals and conceded only seven during this run shows that they are a formidable force on their home turf.

Team News

Valmiera boss Jurgis Kalns is likely to field a stronger starting lineup, bringing back several first-team regulars. After making significant changes in their recent cup match, it is expected that Kalns will revert to a more familiar lineup to maximize their chances of overturning the deficit.

Captain Alvis Jaunzems, midfielder Ivan Zhelizko, and attackers Ruan Ribeiro and Alioune Ndoye are the only four players who started in both of the last two matches and are expected to retain their spots in the starting XI. Carlos Olses is set to return as the first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Klavs Lauva.

The defensive line is likely to consist of Jaunzems at right-back, joined by Daniels Balodis, Niks Sliede, and Maksims Tonisevs, forming the back four. In midfield, Ivan Zhelizko is expected to be accompanied by Adel Ghanem and Victor Diagne.

Upfront, Valmiera will rely on the attacking trio of Ruan Ribeiro, Alioune Ndoye, and Camilo Mena to create goal-scoring opportunities and try to close the gap in the aggregate score.

Olimpija Ljubljana

Olimpija head into the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Valmiera with an advantage, having won the first leg 2-1. The Slovenian champions, under the management of Joao Henriques, have had a strong start to their campaign with five friendly victories out of six, followed by their first-leg triumph.

Having secured the domestic title last season, Olimpija have set their sights on further success in Europe. They are aiming to reach the second qualifying round of the Champions League, and only require a draw in the second leg to accomplish this goal.

Olimpija’s history in the Champions League qualifiers dates back to the 1992-93 season when they faced the formidable AC Milan in the first round, succumbing to a 7-0 aggregate defeat. They managed to progress to the second round only once in 2016-17 when they faced Trencin, losing on the away goals rule after a 6-6 aggregate draw.

Team News

Henriques is expected to field a similar starting lineup for the crucial second leg against Valmiera. Young defender Marcel Ratnik, who played in the first leg, is anticipated to partner with new signing Ahmet Muhamedbegovic in the center-back position.

Svit Seslar, who was impressive last season with 10 goals, is likely to retain his place on the right flank. On the opposite wing, either Pedro or Nemanja Motika is expected to take up the position. In attack, Ivan Posavec may support Mustafa Nukic, while Admir Bristric might have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Conclusion

With their strong home record and an improved lineup, Valmiera will aim to build on their recent successes and capitalize on their home advantage to secure a positive result against Olimpija in the second leg. Meanwhile, the visitors will aim to maintain their advantage and ensure their place in the next stage of the competition.

These two teams are matched relatively evenly, and it will be surely be an interesting contest. A draw feels like the likeliest outcome, and it would, of course, suit the Slovenian side perfectly.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: Luckster