Champions League: New Saints defence far from holey

Michael Lintorn
25 July 2012

Alfred Finnbogason was kept quiet in the first leg in Wales

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Today's treble is dependent on The New Saints maintaining their defensive discipline in Sweden...

"The New Saints boast a classy defensive record which includes four straight clean sheets and, as proof of sustained success, only 13 goals conceded in their last 24 matches."

Back under 3.5 goals in Helsingborgs v The New Saints @ 1.695/7 (18:15)
The plan was to back under 2.5 goals here but the odds on three goals or fewer are unbelievably tasty. Welsh club The New Saints might be minnows on the European circuit but they are minnows with a classy defensive record which includes four straight clean sheets and, as proof of sustained success, only 13 goals conceded in their last 24 matches. It is arguable that the calibre of domestic opposition that they face isn't great but the first leg of this tie finished 0-0 too. Their hosts average only 1.3 goals a game in the Swedish league.

Back over 2.5 goals in Vardar Skopje v BATE Borisov @ 1.9520/21 (19:00)
Trail-blazing Belarusians BATE Borisov have become rather effective in this environment, reaching the group stage of a European competition in each of the last four seasons. That rendered their struggle in the home leg of this tie, in which they required two injury-time goals to nick a 3-2 win, all the more surprising. Macedonian opponents Vardar's Champions League appearances are rare but entertaining. Eight of the last ten have featured over 2.5 goals, with both teams scoring two or more in their most recent three.

Back over 2.5 goals in Dinamo Zagreb v Ludogorets @ 2.111/10 (19:45, Betfair Live Video)
This is the day's bravest pick, our initial inclination to back Dinamo Zagreb suppressed by the fact that their Bulgarian visitors, as continental newcomers, provide an element of unpredictability. One thing that is certain is that they need to score to stand a chance of progressing after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, while Dinamo - unbeaten in front of their fans in 2012 - should be good for at least one goal. They scored eight times in their three home qualifiers last season.

Odds of 5.69 can be found on the above treble using the new betslip - click here for more information