Irish league champions Dundalk travel to Norway for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg, with the scores level at 1-1 after the first leg.
Rosenborg vs Dundalk
UEFA Champions League – 2nd Qualifying Round
Wednesday 19th July – 18:15 UK Time
Rosenborg
Rosenborg were a permanent fixture in the Champions League group stages during the 1990’s and early-2000’s but they have failed to make it past the Play-Off round since 2007/08.
In fact, they have only made it through to one Play-Off, in 2010, and two third-qualifying rounds since then.
Domestically, they are still a force to be reckoned with. They currently sit atop the Norwegian league, five points clear of the second-placed side, and have been crowned champions for the past two seasons.
Dundalk
Dundalk are on the verge of losing their Irish league title, as they sit a massive fifteen points behind Cork City. It will end a run of three consecutive titles, going back to 2014.
However, they are still in with a shout of going further in this competition.
Last season they made it through to the Play-Off round in this competition, before losing 3-1 on aggregate to Legia Warsaw, and played in the group stages of the Europa League. It’s an experience which they will be keen to repeat, or even better this time around.
Head to Head
The first leg of this tie was the first ever meeting between Rosenborg and Dundalk, which means it’s all level with regards to their head to head record.
A 1-1 draw, with Dundalk taking the lead through David McMillan before Tore Reginiussen equalised just before half-time, has left this tie well poised for what should be a fantastic second leg.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Rosenborg are rightly the favourites for this match. They earned a draw away from home and have only lost once at home in their domestic league this season. Sky Bet offer odds of 2/5 for a home win, with a Dundalk victory a tempting 13/2, and the draw at 100/30.
If you believe Dundalk may spring a surprise here, backing them or draw in the Double Chance market may be the best way to go at odds of 13/8.
Amazingly, Dundalk are priced at 10/1 to win to nil. They haven’t conceded a goal in the league for five matches and showed solid defending during the first leg. You would think that if they are to win this, it may be by the odd goal after a backs-to-the-wall 90 minutes. Therefore, although the unlikeliness of it happening is reflected in the price, it could be worth a punt for those who like to back an outsider.
Rosenborg to win to nil is priced at 6/5.
The home side have only kept one clean sheet in their last six as hosts, so Dundalk to score at least one goal looks a solid option with odds of 4/5.
With that in mind, Both Teams to Score at odds of 1/1 also looks to be good value.
Rosenborg to win and BTTS is priced at 11/5 and looks potentially the best bet of the match.
With a nervy start likely from both sides here, betting on a draw in the half-time market also looks good value at 13/10.
It was 1-1 at half time in the first leg and Both Teams to Score in the 1st Half is 9/2 here, which looks a fantastic price considering it happened the last time these sides met.
For those who think Rosenborg will win, but Dundalk will put up a great fight, it may be worth backing the draw in the handicap market (with Rosenborg starting on -1). It’s priced at 11/5 and if the home side nick this match by a single goal, your bet would still be a winner.
Top Betting Tip
As said above, our top betting tip for this match is Rosenborg to Win and Both Teams to Score, priced at 11/5 with Ladbrokes.