Omonia Nicosia vs Beitar Jerusalem Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Omonia Nicosia’s clash with Beitar Jerusalem is really finely poised after the Israelis edged the 1st Leg 1-0 last week. Shimon Abuhatzira scored the only goal in the 71st minute but like most of Beitar’s recent games it was a cagey affair. They have won 3 of their last 4 matches 1-0 and drew the other 0-0 so they are keeping plenty of clean sheets and it doesn’t take a genius to work out what their approach is likely to be here. They came 3rd in the Ligat Ha’al last season but were 23 points worse off than 2nd place Maccabi Tel Aviv so they aren’t really expected to make the group phase.

The same could probably be said of Omonia Nicosia particularly after their 1st Leg defeat but this tie is by no means over. Omonia were pushed close by Armenian minnows Banants in the 1st Qualifying round with the tie 1-1 after 180 minutes however the Cyrpiots burst into life in Extra time scoring 4 goals to kill the tie off. They could use some of that energy here but like Beitar many of their recent games have been dull low scoring ones.

Including friendlies all of their last 6 matches have finished either 0-0 or 1-0 inside the 90 minutes and all of their 7 games since the start of pre-season have had under 2.5 goals. Therefore this game feels like one between two teams who are better at the back than going forward and again it’s hard to see there being many goals in this.

For those reasons backing there to be under 2.5 goals at 7/10 looks to offer the best value here.