Champions League qualification continues this week. Some dreams were shattered in the first leg matches, others were just left to continue fantasising about an evening at the Santiago Bernabeu or Camp Nou in the group stages.
We could yet see some big clubs fall at this hurdle. Here are a few thoughts and tips on this week’s biggest matches…
HAPOEL BEER SHEVA vs DINAMO ZAGREB
Dinamo Zagreb were favourites at home to Hapoel Beer Sheva last week. A victory was expected, but a 5-0 thumping was still a bit of a surprise. The Croatian side did well to put this tie to bed before the tricky away leg.
The hosts are left playing to piece together some of their pride. Two early second half goals from Arijan Ademi were a real gut punch having been just 2-0 down at the break. Hapoel should at least be able to avoid a drubbing on home soil.
Dinamo are likely to rest many of the players from the first leg. The tie being over as a contest just makes it harder to call, but a relaxed away side give the hosts a good chance.
TIP: Hapoel Beer Sheva to win or draw @ 2/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Hapoel Beer Sheva 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
FC BASEL vs PAOK
This is one of the most well-matched ties on paper. That hypothesis converted to grass pretty well in the first leg, with PAOK winning 2-1 in Greece. The match was tight throughout, but Basel’s 82nd minute goal to make it 2-1 could be the turning point.
Basel are favourites to get the win in this one at even money. Of course, that might not be enough to secure progression, but it’s a reflection of where these two stand. Home advantage is massive given the similarity in quality.
The home side are a good price to get the job done back in Switzerland. It’ll be touch and go whether they can overturn the deficit, this could see extra time.
TIP: Basel to win @ EVENS
PREDICTED SCORE: FC Basel 2-1 PAOK (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)
STURM GRAZ vs AJAX
Sturm Graz were underdogs heading to Amsterdam for the first leg. They lost 2-0, but their hopes of an upset were as good as wiped out when Hakim Ziyech put the Dutch giants in front in the 16th minute. The Austrian side still have a chance of progression, it’s just a very slim one.
Ajax got the job done. They will have been a little disappointed not to have completely finished the tie at home, but they were able to give Dusan Tadic his competitive home debut off the bench. Tadic may start the second leg to provide extra guile in the final third.
The value is unsurprisingly on Ajax. Out at evens for the win, their superior players should shine through again, and an early goal will end this as a contest.
TIP: Ajax to win @ EVENS
PREDICTED SCORE: Sturm Graz 0-3 Ajax (Priced at 16/1 with 888sport)
ROSENBORG vs CELTIC
Rosenborg took the lead in Glasgow last week, and that away goal could prove massive in the second leg. Celtic went on to win 3-1, but a 2-0 defeat will knock them out of the Champions League, and it’s no secret how they struggle on the road in Europe.
Brendan Rodgers’ side should be fine here, though. A goal puts them in a great position, and if there’s one thing Rodgers’ teams can do, it’s score goals. That is, of course, if they can stop Nicklas Bendtner at the other end.
Celtic’s poor away form makes the hosts decent value here. The Scottish champions should still make it through, it just might not be as comfortable as they’d hoped.
TIP: Rosenborg to win or draw @ 4/7
PREDICTED SCORE: Rosenborg 2-2 Celtic (Priced at 23/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
