Rosenborg look set to end Dundalk Euro adventure

Champions League second qualifying round second legs
From 5pm Wednesday

Dundalk did a wonderful job of raising the League of Ireland's profile by reaching the Europa League group stage last season but hopes of another memorable continental campaign could be extinguished by Norwegian league leaders Rosenborg in Trondheim.

Last Wednesday's first leg at Oriel Park finished 1-1 after an evenly matched contest.

But it felt like a key moment in the tie when defender Tore Reginiussen levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time.

Dundalk would love to have had a lead to defend in Trondheim, where Rosenborg have lost just one of their last 11 home matches.

Rosenborg are five points clear in Norway and on course to win the title for a third successive season.

Dundalk are second in the League of Ireland but are 15 points behind leaders Cork and seem to have been weakened by the winter departures of defender Andrew Boyle and winger Daryl Horgan, who both joined Preston.

At the same stage of last season's Champions League qualifiers, Dundalk overcame Icelandic side Hafnarfjordur on the away-goals rule.

However, Rosenborg are a few grades up from Hafnarfjordur and should progress with something to spare.

An even more convincing home win is likely at Celtic Park with the Glasgow giants likely to make their extra class count against Northern Ireland champions Linfield.

Celtic triumphed 2-0 in the first leg at Windsor Park and are likely to win by a wider margin on home soil.

The Bhoys are without Costa Rican right-back Cristian Gamboa (international duty) and defender Dedryck Boyata (knee) but are heavily favoured at 1-20 to win the match and 4-9 to win to nil.

Recommendation
Rosenborg-Rosenborg double result
1pt 27-20 Coral

Bet on this match at soccerbase.com