Battle For The Groups; Teams Face Off In Qualifiers: Accumulator Tip for July 25

This Thursday, the second qualifying round and first leg of the Europa League and Europa Conference League will take place. In the second qualifying round, first leg of the Europa League, Molde FK will welcome Silkeborg at Aker Stadium, while Braga will play host to Maccabi Petah Tikva at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. Last but not least, Maccabi Haifa will welcome Sabah Baku at Várkerti Stadion in the second qualifying round, first leg of the Europa League.

Molde vs. Silkeborg

Despite being the most successful club in Norway in recent years, Molde FK experienced a total washout in the previous season, finishing in fifth place in the Eliteserien since suffering the same fate in 2016. This was a significant drop from their usual top positions and previous successes. However, the 2021–22 champions did redeem themselves by earning qualification to the Europa League qualifiers by defeating Lillestrøm SK 2-1 in the final. 

Silkeborg, on the other hand, finished in sixth place in the Denmark Superliga 2023–24 season. However, just like their opponents, they earned qualification to the Europa League qualifiers by defeating AFG 1-0 in the Danish Cup final. This will be their second appearance in this competition. 

Molde is the better side on paper and is expected to secure a comfortable win at home. However, their recent match against KFUM, which saw them concede three goals in a 3-2 defeat at home, suggests that they may concede unnecessary goals in this one. Therefore, support both sides to get on the scoreboard, which should suffice. 

• Bet Type: BTTS

Maccabi Haifa vs. Sabah Baku

Maccabi Haifa have been one of the strongest teams in the Ligat ha'Al in recent years. However, in the previous season, they failed to defend their league title, opting for a second-place finish and bringing an end to their three-year dominance. 

Sabah Baku, on the other hand, has been one of the best teams in the Azerbaijan Premier League in the past few years since gaining promotion to the top flight in 2019. In the previous season, they finished third with 58 points deadlocked, with second-placed Zira separated by a slight goal differential. They are making their second appearance in this competition after a notable run in the previous round, which saw them sweep aside RFS in a 4-1 aggregate win in the second round.

Sabah Baku have performed impressively on the road, losing just one of their last six matches (W4, D1), making them a side that can't be underestimated. Maccabi Haifa, on the other hand, recorded a resounding 3-0 home victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva in the Toto Cup Ligat Al, and we expect them to build up on this momentum to secure a first-leg advantage in the second qualifying round.

• Bet Type: W1

Braga vs. Maccabi Petah Tikva

Braga finished fourth in the Primeira Liga last season, four points adrift of a third-place finish. This didn't come as a surprise for a team considered to be a giant in Portuguese football, having alternated between a third and fourth-place finish in the past seven years. Os Arsenalistas have been a consistent presence in the Europa League qualifiers and will be making their 15th appearance this season. 

Maccabi Petah Tikva, on the other hand, had a dismal campaign, which saw them finish in eighth place in the Ligat ha'Al within the relegation group. Maccabi will be making their first appearance in this competition after securing qualification by defeating Hapoel Beer Sheva 1-0 in the Israeli State Cup, lifting the cup for the third time.

Apart from having home advantage at their disposal, Braga boasts a superior squad and are favorites to get the better of their opponents in the second qualifying round first leg. Therefore, support the home side to score an individual total of over 2.5 goals.

• Bet Type: IT1 O2.5