Legia Warsaw vs Dundalk Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Dundalk’s dream of reaching the Champions League group stages looks all but finished now. They held their own at home against Legia Warsaw last week, but a 56th minute penalty gave the Polish side the lead and a 94th minute second was added to almost put the tie to bed. Dundalk now face the incredibly difficult task of overturning a two goal deficit away from home against Legia Warsaw.

The hosts aren’t in the best of form at the moment though. They followed their win in Ireland with a 3-1 loss at home to Arka Gdynia in the Ekstraklasa on Saturday, a result which made it three defeats, two draws, and a win in their last six matches in all competitions.

Legia Warsaw are a regular addition to this stage of the Champions League qualifying stages as well, although they haven’t made it to the group stages since the 1995/96 season. They do regularly appear in the Europa League group stages though, so this is a big opportunity for them to return to Europe’s elite competition.

Dundalk will be praised no matter what happens. This is by far the furthest they have ever come in European football, and for the first time in their history they are guaranteed a spot in the group stages of either the Champions League or the Europa League. Obviously the cash injection that a Champions League group stages appearance would be much the preferable option, but they face a very tough task on Tuesday.

Their ongoing Champions League campaign has taken it’s toll on their overall form though. They have only won one of their last seven matches in all competitions, with that being a 3-0 win against BATE in the earlier stages of the Champions League. They have lost three in a row now as well, although they remain top of the Irish Premier Division with a three point advantage over Derry City and three games in hand on them.

In all honesty I think this is the end for Dundalk’s Champions League campaign, but they will want to go out fighting. I expect them to push on for a goal or two rather than limit the damage on Tuesday, and Legia Warsaw will be looking for a goal to finish the tie off as well.

Dundalk have scored in 11 of their last 14 trips away from home, and although Legia Warsaw will be a tougher ask, I fancy them to push on for a goal in the tie. Legia Warsaw could well be a bit complacent at the back with a 2-0 lead as well, so I think odds of 6/5 for both teams to score on Tuesday look good value. I’m backing a 2-1 win for Legia Warsaw at 7/1 for my correct score prediction as well.