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TNSFC will look to turn around their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie on Tuesday, 14 July, when they welcome Sabah to Shropshire.
The Cymru Premier side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in Azerbaijan in the first leg, meaning they have it all to do if they are to make it through to the second round of qualifying.
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.
TNSFC vs Sabah key stats
- The first leg was a mismatch, with Sabah recording 14 shots to TSNSC's two.
- TNSFC have failed to win any of their last five European qualifying matches.
- Both teams have scored in six of Saba's last seven matches in all competitions.
TNSFC vs Sabah preview: Visitors to prevail
TNSFC vs Sabah — Tale of the Tape
| TNSFC | vs | Sabah |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Welsh Premier) | Position | 1st (Azerbaijan Premier) |
| 80 | Points | 78 |
| 81 | Goals For | 75 |
| 25 | Goals Against | 25 |
| 17 | Clean Sheets | 14 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
TNSFC made history two seasons ago when they became the first-ever domestic Welsh side to reach the league phase/group stage of a European competition, when they competed in the Europa Conference League.
As part of that run, TNS won their first round Champions League qualifying tie, but if they are to repeat that this year, they will need an almighty performance against a Sabah side that looked as if they were operating at a higher level in the first leg.
One thing that is in TNS' favour this week is that they are usually a different beast on home turf. They have avoided defeat in 10 of their last 13 home European qualifiers, but they will need to put their foot firmly down on the accelerator if they are to overturn a two-goal deficit.
There are no fresh injuries out of the TNS camp this week, but Zach Nolan will be pushing to make his first competitive appearance for the club.
As for Sabah, the expectation is that they will cruise through to the second round of Champions League qualifying this week.
As far as draws go, they were up there with the worst possible outcomes for TNSFC as they come into this season as the reigning Azerbaijan Premier League champions, after ending Qarabag's 11-year dominance of Azerbaijani football.
After winning the first leg without getting out of second gear, they will be looking to kill this tie off as quickly as possible in the second leg, so a front-foot approach is expected in the first half.
Manager Valdas Dambrauskas is going to be forced into a couple of changes on Tuesday. Steve Solvet will miss out due to suspension after being red-carded in the first leg, while Khayal Aliyev has a tendon injury.
TNSFC vs Sabah form guide & betting tips
| TNSFC | vs | Sabah |
|---|---|---|
WWDWL
Form |
WDDLW
| |
| 6 | Goals For | 10 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 7 |
L
Champions League qualification |
W
|
Whispers predicts: TNSFC 1-2 Sabah
Finishing nine points clear of European football regulars Qarabag is an impressive achievement, and indicates that Sabah are operating at an entirely different level to TNSFC. Home advantage will help the Welsh side stay in the game, but Sabah should ultimately be too strong.
Goals have gone in at both ends in three of TNSFC's last five matches in all competitions, making BTTS a solid bet on Tuesday.
Veljko Simic scored the opening goal last week and netted 11 times for Sabah last season.
> Sabah to win | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS | Likelihood: Probable
> Veljko Simic to score anytime | Likelihood: Possible