After a number of fascinating Champions League qualification first legs, we’re going to feast our eyes upon next week’s second legs taking place across Europe. The majority of the opening third round matches were cagey affairs, with over half of the games ending in draws. Only Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar Donetsk managed to win by more than one goal but these matches may well be a little more open.
It’s do or die time now and there is no point holding back with so much at stake. As a consequence, we’re expecting the second legs to be open and exciting encounters. With a place in the final play-off round at stake, we should be all set for some fireworks in Europe next week.
We’re going to focus on the Red Star Belgrade v Ludogorets Razgrad fixture, Shakhtar’s visit to Switzerland to face Young Boys, Celtic’s intriguing looking match against Astana and the mouth-watering fixture between Monaco and Fenerbahce.
Tuesday 2nd August 2016
Red Star Belgrade v Ludogorets Razgrad (19:30) – Red Star Belgrade to Win and BTTS (7/2 with Betfred)
We kick things off in Serbia where Miodrag Bozovic’s Red Star Belgrade welcome Ludogorets Razgrad to the Marakana Stadium in Belgrade. These two played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg, with Claudio Keseru’s goal 15 minutes from time enough to rescue a much-needed draw for the home side and keep them in the tie.
Jonathan Cafu had given Ludogorets the lead a couple of minutes before the break, but goals from Aleksandar Katai and Guelor Kanga tuned the game on its head.
With two away goals in the bag, there’s no doubt that Red Star are in the driving seat in this tie. They put on a good show in the Ludogorets Arena on Tuesday, and they will certainly fancy their chances of getting the job done on home turf next week.
The best odds you can get on Belgrade to win on the night is 13/10 with Sky Bet. That’s solid enough but we prefer the look of Betfred’s 7/2 for a home win and both teams to score. After putting on a show in the first game, let’s hope both can do the same again at the Red Star Stadium on Tuesday.
Wednesday 3rd August 2016
Young Boys v Shakhtar Donetsk (19:15) – Shakhtar Donetsk to Win (6/5 with Totesport)
Goals from Bernard and Yevhen Seleznyov were enough to seal a comfortable 2-0 win for Shakhtar Donetsk in their first leg game against Swiss side Young Boys in midweek. Paulo Fonseca, who took over at the Arena Lviv in the summer, will be hoping his side’s 2-0 lead will be enough to see them through to the play-off round.
As for the Swiss Super League runners-up, they never really got going in Ukraine, and look as though they have given themselves too big a hill to climb in the second leg.
Shakhtar are not only the strong favourites to qualify, they are also fancied to win in Bern. Despite being the favourites, Totesport are giving you the generous price of 6/5 for Donetsk to win in the Stade de Suisse on Wednesday evening. Shakhtar, who reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season, should not have any problems whatsoever getting the job done in Switzerland.
Celtic v Astana (19:45) – Celtic to Win (1/2 with Coral)
Lee Griffith’s late goal at the Astana Arena rescued a vital draw for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, but more importantly gave them a crucial away goal. It truly was a difficult night for the Bhoys in an extremely hostile atmosphere in Kazakhstan. However, the Scottish champions dealt with the occasion superbly and they certainly merited their 1-1 draw.
Celtic recovered well from Yuriy Logvinenko’s early goal, and after what happened in their last away Champions League match, Rodgers and co. will be relieved with Griffith’s late strike.
At Celtic Park, you have to fancy the Scottish side to get over the line. The Hoops will be fully aware that a clean sheet will see them through. However, we believe the home side can get the victory to seal their place in the play-off round with ease.
Celtic may be the strong favourites to win on their home patch, but we still advise you to take up Coral’s offer of 1/2. A repeat result and scoreline from their previous European game at Celtic Park would more than suffice for the 47-time Scottish champions.
Monaco v Fenerbahce (19:45) – Fenerbahce to Win and BTTS (6/1 with Betfred)
We now turn our attention to Wednesday’s tasty looking fixture between Ligue 1 side Monaco and Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Emmanuel Emenike, who is currently on loan at the Ulker Stadium from West Ham United, scored twice in the first leg to give Fenerbahce a valuable lead in the tie.
Radamel Falcao’s strike just before half time could play a big part in the return game at the Stade Louis II, but Vitor Pereira’s men will be delighted to be heading to France with a 2-1 lead.
From the moment these two were paired up it had the potential of being the tie of the round, and after the first leg, it’s certainly lived up to its billing so far. This really is a tough one to call, with the bookies making Monaco 21/20 (Sky Bet) favourites to win on their own patch. If you fancy a repeat of the first leg – with Fenerbahce winning and BTTS – Betfred are offering the eye-opening price of 6/1.
Of course, it will no doubt be a difficult task, but the Turkish Super Lig outfit will be buoyed by their first leg triumph and will head to the Principality of Monaco with nothing to fear. Therefore, we believe there’s definitely value in Betfred’s big price in what should be an open, thrilling clash.