This week’s Champions League and Europa League play-offs gave us some great entertainment, and they’ve set us up brilliantly for the second legs next week, which will decide just who makes it into the group stages. With so much on the line here, especially in the Champions League, these return legs will be huge occasions for all the teams involved.
This week could make or break a season for some sides, especially given the quality of the ties. Both Monaco and Valencia will have expected to qualify, but they meet on Wednesday night for a massively significant clash. The same could be said for Bayer Leverkusen and Lazio, while Celtic looked like they were certainly going through for most of their game, but now it’s in doubt. Here we have previews for all those games, including a betting tip for each.
Tuesday 25th August 2015
Malmo v Celtic (19:45) – Malmo to qualify (6/4 with Coral)
Celtic’s start in the first leg of this game looked to have damaged Malmo’s chances beyond repair, but they fought back to claim two away goals. Celtic have a 3-2 lead going into this one, but is that enough for them? They aren’t the most solid side at the back, and you can’t be confident in them going over to Sweden and keeping a clean sheet. They look likely to concede, so can they keep themselves in the tie?
The problem for Celtic is those opening 20 minutes seem like a golden chance passed up. It’s hard to believe they’ll get a period like that against the Swedish champions again, and this game looks like it’s going to be a lot tighter. It’s hard to back against momentum, and make no mistake that it’s currently with the Swedes. That late goal will have buoyed them, and they’ll fully believe they are favourites to go through. The bookies are currently backing Celtic, but we think Malmo are excellent value to qualify, at 6/4 with Coral.
Monaco v Valencia (19:45) – Both teams to score (Evens with Coral)
Last season’s quarter-finalists Monaco look set for an exit before the group stage this time around, as they trail Valencia 3-1. Turning that game around will be a massive challenge for the Ligue 1 side, as they aren’t the most prolific team going forward. Can they use home advantage to force the Spaniards on the back foot, or will Valencia be the fifth La Liga side to make it in to this season’s Champions League group stage? Given their performance on Wednesday, it’s easy to see why Valencia are favourites.
Cruising to that win last week, Monaco’s resistance was pushed aside, and Valencia showed just what their summer spending has got them. After a good year in the league last year, they want to impress on the European stage. We expect them to do just that, but they won’t have it all their own way here. Monaco showed some good European pedigree last season, and they’ll be battling until the end to get through here. They face a strong side, but we’re backing the French side to get themselves on the scoresheet at least. Given that both teams to score is priced out at evens, that looks like the bet to back, as neither of these sides are great at the back right now.
Wednesday 26th August 2015
Club Brugge v Manchester United (19:45) – United to win (17/20 with bet365)
Manchester United suffered a scare despite beating Brugge last Tuesday, falling behind early on and conceding an away goal. They still came out of that game with a 3-1 lead, and that should be more than enough to see them through. Despite that, boss Louis van Gaal may well be worried about the Belgians recreating their great start from last week, as that could really trouble United. Because of that, it really isn’t hard to see him asking his side to go out and win this match, taking the lead in the second leg and holding Brugge at bay.
This will be a strong United side that Van Gaal picks, even if he gives a couple of other players a chance in the side. His team should be fully motivated to go out and win, sending a message to the rest of Europe as they prepare for a return to the Champions League group stages. With so much quality in the team, they really should be getting the victory here without too many problems, we we’re backing the Red Devils to win at the great price of 17/20 with Bet365.
Bayer Leverkusen v Lazio (19:45) – Leverkusen to qualify (11/8 with Bet365)
Finally, two teams from two of the top leagues in Europe clash on Wednesday night, with this tie sitting on a knife edge. One of these two won’t be making it through to the next round, but picking which one isn’t easy right now, as Lazio lead 1-0 going into the second leg in Germany. That was a good first leg result for the Italians, but is it enough for them to hold on to? And, can they pull out a top class defensive performance here to stay in front and book a place in the group stage?
It’s hard to see Lazio doing that, but this game should definitely be tight again. The unders market is a good way to go here, with under 2.5 goals currently priced at evens with most bookies. We can very much see the German side turning this game around and qualifying, however. They’ve got the experience in the competition, plus they’ve always had a poor away record in Europe, but they’ve made up for that at home. We think this will be the case again, and Bayer will get back to winning ways on the night, and in the tie. Back them to qualify at 11/8 with Bet365.