Maccabi Tel Aviv vs FCSB Prediction: Extra-time beckons in Budapest

There was little to separate Maccabi Tel Aviv and FCSB in last week's first leg in Bucharest as the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Stadionul Steaua, meaning this Champions League second-round qualifier is finely poised heading into the return fixture in Budapest on Wednesday (19:00).

Read below for my Maccabi Tel Aviv vs FCSB prediction and all the latest team news ahead of this second leg at the Bozsik Arena.

Football Odds

Team News

Maccabi's league season doesn't get underway until August 24, so the club has had a full week to prepare for Wednesday's game.

Osher Davida, Elad Madmon, Roy Revivo, Dor Turgeman and Ido Shahar are all still at the Paris 2024 Olympics, so there are unlikely to be many - if any - changes to their starting XI in Budapest, though midfielder Dan Biton did his chances of a promotion from the bench no harm by scoring his side's only goal in Bucharest.

Goalkeeper Or Yitzhak, who underwent surgery in the summer, remains sidelined.

FCSB have a couple of absentees themselves with Alexandru Pantea and Octavian Popescu still out injured, but despite having to play on Friday, losing 2-0 at home to Otelul, the majority of their stars should be fresh after being rested for at least a half.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs FCSB Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Maccabi Tel Aviv vs FCSB page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Maccabi are 11/8 favourites to triumph in regulation time on Wednesday, giving them an implied win probability of 42.1%, while the Romanians are 15/8, or a 34.8% chance, to get the job done themselves inside 90 minutes.

The draw, which would send the tie to extra time in Hungary, is priced at 21/10, and a repeat of last week's 1-1 scoreline can be found at 5/1.

Draw (90 mins) @ 21/10

FCSB no longer have home advantage but Wednesday's game will be played at a neutral venue, meaning that Maccabi will not benefit from the same luxury afforded to their opponents last week, and the Romanians will hope that helps them to at least avoid defeat in regulation time and possibly force the tie to extra-time and, potentially, a penalty shoot-out.

Maccabi possess the stronger squad with the likes of Eran Zahavi and Dor Peretz among their star names, but with a quartet of players at the Olympics, they are not at full strength either, and may be taken the distance by FCSB.

If I was forced to choose a team to win I would opt for Maccabi but, for me, the value lies in the draw at 21/10.

Under 0.5 first half total goals @ 7/4

There was very little goalmouth action in a goalless first 45 minutes last week, FCSB hitting the target just once from four shots and Maccabi failing to work Stefan Tarnovanu from the three shots they took.

It took until the 71st minute for Biton to break the deadlock in Bucharest and I fear we could be in for another nervy opening to proceedings on Wednesday.

So much is on the line for both sides in midweek and that much could be evident in the opening stages, with neither wanting to risk much.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 50% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.