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  • CONCACAF Champions League Preview And Tips: Goals Expected In Austin, Philadelphia To Be Clinical

CONCACAF Champions League preview and tips: Goals expected in Austin, Philadelphia to be clinical

Champions League football is not unique to Europe, and Tipstrr soccer expert George Dempsey takes a look at the betting opportunities offered by Tuesday night's action in the the CONCACAF version.

Austin FC, Philadelphia Union, Los Angeles Football Club, Orlando, and Vancouver are the teams currently competing in the round of 16 and for the most part, it's started well. 

Vancouver wrapped up qualification in the first leg, as they beat Real Esteli 5-0, while LAFC has essentially done the same with a 3-0 victory away to a once-feared Alajuelense side.
Philadelphia picked up a 0-0 draw away to Alianza, and Orlando holding out for a 0-0 in Tigres will feel like a victory for the Florida-based side.
The big shock of the first round came as Violette beat Austin FC 3-0, a result that sets up an extremely interesting second leg, with Austin needing to win by three clear goals just to force extra time.

Unlike in Europe, away goals still count in this competition, so if Violette score, Austin will need to score five, and the crazy part is you'd probably back them to do it, because as strange as it seems, that's how important home advantage is in this region. 

Looking back at the last two editions of the Champions League, there are several examples of MLS sides failing to win the first leg, sometimes losing it, only to win the second leg by at least three goals. Seattle have recently lost 3-0 on the road before winning 3-0 at home.
Portland were 5-0 winners against Marathon after a 2-2 away draw, while Cruz Azul ran out 8-0 winners on the back of a 0-0 draw. Seattle also struggled to a 0-0 away from home before winning 5-0 at home.

You can't write off Violette scoring, but it can't be expected either. They will likely get their chances as Austin have to push further forward, but I do think the home side could score early and often. Back Over 4.5 goals.

Philadelphia should keep things tight

Alianza are not a pushover, as they have proved by beating Tigres at home in recent years. They have lost 1-0 in both of their previous trips to face MLS sides, with both of those goals coming in the final three minutes of the game.
The Union did not play anywhere close to their best starting eleven, and instead kept things tight until the 60-minute mark when they introduced some key players. There were few chances of note in the game and that suited the MLS side.
Given how potent Philadelphia are at home and the difference in quality between the two leagues, I do expect them to get the job done here.
The away goal really can complicate matters in a tight game, so a third consecutive clean sheet would help.

There's a chance that Philadelphia could pull away should they score early, but there's no need to be gung-ho and I think the hosts can get the job done without conceding. Back Philadelphia Union: win to nil.

Suggested bets

Austin FC vs Violette Over 4.5 goals

Philadelphia Union win to nil

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