Petrocub Hincesti and The New Saints will be looking to edge closer to the main stages of the Europa League when they meet on Tuesday evening in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.
These two clubs have dropped down into this competition courtesy of suffering defeats in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
Match preview
© Imago
Having prevailed form just one of their previous six European ties, it came as no surprise the New Saints were comprehensively defeated by Ferencvaros last month.
Confidence would have been high after overcoming Montenegrin side Decic, yet it became clear in the opening 45 minutes in Hungary that Ferencvaros would canter to victory.
In the end, TNS saved face with just a 2-1 defeat in Wales, but it highlighted the gulf in class they generally face on the continent.
On a more positive note, Craig Harrison's side got the disappointment out of their system with a 5-1 win over Flint Town United on Friday.
However, TNS will be under no illusions that the trip to Moldova to face a solid Petrocub outfit provides a far stiffer test, one where they are considerable underdogs.
Petrocub had been holding APOEL on aggregate until the Cypriot outfit found a decisive goal 25 minutes from time in the second leg.
Andrei Martin and his side will feel frustrated they have bowed out of the running for the Champions League having conceded just twice in four matches.
Such a defensive record should concern TNS, as should the fact that the 1-0 defeat to APOEL in the first leg represented Petrocub's first competitive defeat since September.
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Team News
Mihai Lupan could miss out for Petrocub having needed to be withdrawn in the first half against APOEL.
Constantin Sandu may be brought into the starting lineup in his place, while Vasile Jordan is an option to be restored in central midfield.
Although the New Saints cruised to victory last time out, it was a much-changed side from the one that battled hard against Ferencvaros in the second leg.
There were five different goalscorers during that contest, yet it may be Declan McManus and Brad Young who get to lead the line, the latter having netted three times in European competition last month.
Petrocub Hincesti possible starting lineup:
Smalenea; S.Platica, Mudrac, Douanla; Jardan, Lungu, Abagna, Puscas; Ambros, M.Platica, Lupan
The New Saints possible starting lineup:
Roberts; Daniels, Davies, Bodenham, Baker; Holden, Redmond, Williams, Brobbel; McManus, Young
We say: Petrocub Hincesti 3-0 The New Saints
The New Saints will hope that facing a closer-matched team in terms of quality will aid their chances in this contest. However, we cannot ignore how they were outclassed at Ferencvaros, and a similar scoreline could materialise here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
