Betting Tip
Rapid Vienna are a club of a different level in this tie, and they have already proved it over the summer. The Austrians overcame Santa Coloma 9:3 on aggregate, dismantling the Andorrans 6:2 at home, when Ercan Kara scored a hat-trick. It is not just about the opposition: the Viennese have greater squad depth, quicker transitions from defence to attack and a completely different speed of ball circulation.
Johannes Hoff Thorup's team have not lost their rhythm, either. The Austrian Bundesliga has already begun, and Rapid have taken six points from six possible: first against Altach (1:0), then Ried (2:1). They are match-sharp, the rotation is working, and in front of their own supporters the Viennese traditionally suffocate opponents from the opening minutes.
Paide Linnameeskond are a solid side by Estonian standards, no more than that. They are fourth in the league: 35 points after 21 rounds and a goal difference of only +5. They came through Hegelmann and Zira in qualifying, but there is a gulf between the level of those opponents and Rapid Vienna.
The first leg confirmed it. Paide held on until the 83rd minute, then conceded three goals in eight minutes, all scored by substitutes. Moulaye Haïdara and Petter Nosa Dahl settled the key moments just as the Estonians ran out of energy.
That is the main trap for anyone who latches on to the first half in Tallinn. Paide do play well in spells, but over 90 minutes against a bench of that quality they fall apart. In Vienna, the Estonians will have to push forward — the worst possible scenario against a team that thrives on quick attacks and set pieces.