Champions League Qualification In Wales as The New Saints Host FC Copenhagen

In our previous writeup today, we went into detail on both the UEFA Champions League qualification process as well as the status of the Dutch Eredivisie within the hierarchy of world soccer leagues. If you haven’t read this preview of the PSV Eindhoven/FC Basel Champions League qualification fixture you’re well advised to do so as much of what was written therein applies as well to this matchup. One of five Champions League second round qualification tilts on the schedule for Tuesday, in this match Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints aka TNS will host Danish Superliga champions FC Copenhagen aka FCK. That’s not a gag–the team’s proper name in Dutch is Football Club København. The second leg of this competition will be on FCK’s home field at the Parken Stadium aka Telia Parken.

Although the Danish Superliga is a considerable bit down the ladder from the Dutch Eredivisie in terms of qualitative status internationally you likewise have to conclude that the Welsh Premier League is a bit lower than the Swiss Super League. As a result, the competitive level of the teams in this matchup is similar to the other game we’ve examined. The primary difference is that the underdog TNS side is hosting this game at Park Hall Stadium in Oswestry County Shropshire, England. The team’s ‘other’ hometown is Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in Powys, Wales which is eight miles away. TNS reached this point by beating Football Superleague of Kosovo (aka IPKO Superleague) champions KF Feronikeli 3-2 on the aggregate.

Needless to say, this is a big step up in class for the Welsh side against an opponent with a decent degree of international success. FC Copenhagen reached the Europe League knockout stages in 2017 and 2018 though they didn’t make it out of Group C last year. The New Saints have never made it out of the qualification rounds in either major European competition. TNS should play with enthusiasm though in reality they’re outmatched here. FCK is 4-1-1 in their last six away in European competition with the only loss coming at Zenit St. Petersburg in Europa League Group play a year ago. All four of their away wins came against teams that charitably must be considered superior to TNS.

Taking a look at the soccer betting odds, the moneyline looks a bit pricey and the handicap line looks a bit chalky. The handicap line is the only viable way to play the side, however, and the disparity in talent is such that it’s tough to make a case for the home team. We’ll look for a high scoring game as well.

BET FC COPENHAGEN -1.5, -2 -114 OVER THE NEW SAINTS
BET FC COPENHAGEN /THE NEW SAINTS OVER 2.5, 3 -119

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