Qualification for the Champions League continues this week with the second leg games in the final qualifying round before the play-off matches. This is the final round before the likes of Liverpool, Sevilla, Napoli, Sporting CP and Hoffenheim enter the competition. In this preview I’ll be taking a look at a few of the games to create a Treble bet for you to place this week.
Rosenberg vs Celtic (0-0 agg)
Brendan Rodger’s side were favourites for this tie before it got underway, but an underwhelming first leg performance saw them escape with a slightly fortunate 0-0 draw. It was Rosenberg who had the better chances to score on the night as a toothless Hoops side struggled without a recognised striker. Leigh Griffiths who was suspended for the first leg will be expected to return on Wednesday, but star man Moussa Dembele will miss the game with injury.
Celtic picked up a morale boosting 5-0 victory away at Sunderland in a pre-season friendly match this weekend and Rodgers will be hoping his side can take that form into the game on Wednesday. If Celtic score first here, you would think they’ll pick up an easy victory considering the quality they have.
Celtic to win – 7/5 (Ladbrokes)
CSKA Moscow vs AEK Athens (2-0 agg)
This looked like it may be a tough tie on paper with Viktor Goncharenko’s depleted CSKA Moscow side expected to struggle against a competitive AEK Athens side. That did not turn out to be the case though, as CSKA grabbed two away goals in Athens to give themselves what looks like an unsurmountable lead in the tie. Alan Dzagoev and Pontus Wernbloom scored the goals last week, both from set pieces, to give CSKA the victory and they look likely to pick up another win at home this time around after another impressive weekend performance in the Russian league.
CSKA Moscow to win – 1/2 (Ladbrokes)
Olympiakos vs Partizan Belgrade (3-1 agg)
Olympiakos picked up a comfortable 3-1 victory away at Partizan Belgrade last time around as Ben Nabouhane helped himself to a brace along with a late goal for Emmanuel Emenike. That late goal from Emenike put pay to any hopes that Partizan Belgrade had of staying in the tie and they will need a minor miracle if they are to get anything from the game in Greece on Wednesday night. Olympiakos have the stronger team and look a safe bet to pick up another victory here.
Olympiakos to win – 4/7 (Ladbrokes)
Conclusion
Here are three solid picks from this weeks Champions League Third Round qualifying matches, with two home wins and an away win making up a Treble with odds of 4.65/1 (Ladbrokes). If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you could throw in Ajax to beat Nice to boost the odds to 8.77/1 (Ladbrokes).