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Hapoel Be'er Sheva welcome Vikingur Reykjavik to Turner Stadium on Wednesday needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie.
The Israeli champions face a difficult task as they look to progress beyond this stage of the competition for only the third time in four campaigns in the preliminaries of Europe’s elite club tournament.
Meanwhile, Vikingur head into the return fixture with a slender advantage and the confidence of a side enjoying a remarkable domestic campaign.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik key stats
- Vikingur have registered at least four corners in each of their Champions League qualifying matches this season.
- Both teams have scored in each of Hapoel's last eight matches, including five competitive fixtures during that run.
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in eight of Vikingur's last nine games across all competitions.
- Hapoel have scored at least twice in each of their last six home matches.
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik preview: Hosts bid to overturn first-leg deficit
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs. Vikingur Reykjavik — Tale of the Tape
| Hapoel Beer Sheva | vs | Vikingur Reykjavik |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Position | 1st (Iceland Besta deild karla) |
| N/A | Points | 43 |
| N/A | Goals For | 54 |
| N/A | Goals Against | 12 |
| N/A | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
Hapoel Be'er Sheva head into Wednesday's second leg searching for a response after losing the opening encounter in Iceland, where Kings Kangwa's equaliser proved in vain, as Nikolaj Hansen completed his brace with a late winner.
The Camels managed only two shots on target in the first meeting, highlighting the need for greater attacking efficiency from a side that has often relied on individual quality in the final third.
Ran Kozuch's team, who claimed their sixth Israeli top-flight title last season, now face the daunting task of overturning a first-leg deficit.
Kangwa has scored in consecutive appearances following last week's strike and is expected to make his final outing for Hapoel before completing a move to Panathinaikos.
Vikingur arrive in Israel after extending their impressive European campaign, having eliminated Hungarian side Gyor 3-2 on aggregate in the previous qualifying round.
Solvi Ottesen's side followed their first-leg success over Hapoel with an emphatic 5-1 league victory against Keflavik last weekend, as five different players got on the scoresheet in another outstanding attacking display.
The Reykjavik club have dominated Icelandic football this season and sit eight points clear at the top of the Besta deild karla after collecting 43 points from their opening 16 league matches.
Veteran midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson will once again provide valuable experience in the centre of the pitch this Wednesday, with the former Iceland international remaining an influential figure despite being in the latter stages of his career.
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik form guide & betting tips
| Hapoel Beer Shev | vs | Vikingur Reykjavik |
|---|---|---|
W
D
L
L
L
|
Form |
W
D
L
W
W
|
| 12 | Goals For | 11 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 6 |
L
|
UEFA Champions League qualifyiers |
W
D
W
|
Whispers predicts: Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-2 Vikingur Reykjavik
Hapoel should adopt a more aggressive approach after failing to create enough clear chances in Iceland, but their defensive vulnerabilities could leave them exposed against opponents who have consistently impressed in attack this season.
Both teams to score at 8/11 (1.72) looks appealing given the hosts' consistent attacking output and the visitors' confidence in the final third, while over 2.5 goals at 7/10 (1.70) is another strong option for a contest featuring two attack-minded teams.
Vikingur over 3.5 corners at 11/10 (2.20) also stands out, with the Icelandic champions expected to spend long spells applying pressure as they look to protect their advantage rather than sit deep.
Vikingur over 1.5 team goals at 12/5 (3.40) offers excellent value for punters expecting the visitors to continue their impressive scoring run, especially with Hapoel struggling to maintain defensive solidity in the early stages of the campaign.
A 2-2 correct score at 14/1 (15.00) is an attractive outsider selection, with Hapoel's need to chase the tie likely to create space for Vikingur, whose only away match in this season's Champions League qualifiers produced the same scoreline.
> BTTS – Yes at 8/11 (1.72) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 7/10 (1.70) | Likelihood: Probable
> Vikingur over 3.5 corners at 11/10 (2.20) | Likelihood: Possible
> Team goals – Vikingur over 1.5 at 12/5 (3.40) | Likelihood: Strong value
> Correct score – Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2-2 Vikingur Reykjavik at 14/1 (15.00) | Likelihood: Outsider