There is just one more round of qualifying to go before the Champions League and Europa League group stages can get underway. We may already be getting excited about the drama to come but for those sides in the playoffs it is imperative they remain fully concentrated. With a full raft of midweek fixtures to enjoy we’ve picked out three trebles with increasing odds to help you profit from the action.
Easy Winner – 9/10 (BetVictor)
- Ajax to beat Rosenborg (1/3) – Ajax’s young stars caught the imagination last season and they will surely have a chance to do likewise this season as they are certainties to get past Rosenborg.
- Everton to beat Hajduk Split (1/4) – Everton made harder work of their last tie against Ruzomberok than they would have liked. Things should be different this time around so expect a comfortable win in the first leg at Goodison Park.
- AC Milan to beat FK Shkendija (1/7) – AC Milan have a rich history in the Champions League but it’s the Europa League for them this season. At least, it will be if they can get through an eminently winnable tie against FK Shkendija.
Medium Risk – 9/1 (Sky Bet)
- Hoffenheim and Liverpool to draw (5/2) – Liverpool are the favourites to qualify for the Champions League at Hoffenheim’s expense but this will be no easy tie for Jurgen Klopp’s men. Liverpool have the advantage of playing the second leg at home but may have to settle for a draw when they play in Germany on Tuesday.
- Napoli to beat Nice (1/3) – Nice performed wonders last season to finish third in Ligue 1 but it’s going to be a lot more difficult for them this time around. They’ve also got a very difficult tie against Napoli in Champions League qualification. The Italian side should win this first leg at home.
- Celtic -1 goal against FC Astana (11/10) – Brendan Rodgers is in a position where he can prioritise European football this season safe in the knowledge that Celtic won’t be challenged domestically. They’ve got a tricky tie against FC Astana but have enough about them to get off to a strong start with a big win at home.
Long Shot – 64/1 (Bet365)
- Celtic to beat FC Astana to nil (21/20) – Celtic know that scoring plenty against Astana is not enough. They need to ensure that the visitors don’t bag a potentially pivotal away goal. Rodgers’ men should be up to the task by winning to nil.
- Everton to beat Hajduk Split 3-0 (6/1) – Ronald Koeman wants a big, comfortable win against Hajduk Split so that there is no jeopardy ahead of Everton’s second leg in Croatia. A 3-0 win ought to do it.
- Sevilla to beat Istanbul Basaksehir and both teams to score (7/2) – Playing away in Turkey is a notoriously difficult thing to do but if anybody can cope, it’s this experienced Sevilla side. They’ll be tested by Istanbul Basaksehir and may concede but a win is on the cards for the Spaniards.