Champions League Qualifying: cagey affairs expected in these five selections

It is only six weeks since Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final but the qualification campaign for the 2022/23 edition has already begun. Here is our preview of this week’s standout matches.

Rigas Futbola Skola vs HJK Helsinki

Tuesday 12 July, 4.30pm

This is one of the most finely balanced first qualifying round ties as we head into the second legs on Tuesday. Manuel Martic’s goal in the 11th minute proved the difference between the sides last time out, as HJK ran out 1-0 winners on home turf.

RFS are still in this contest and will look to cancel out the deficit as quickly as possible. A small factor in HJK’s favour is that their opponents will not be playing at their usual home stadium in Riga after it failed to meet UEFA’s requirements. HJK will have to defend stoutly but they can avoid defeat in Latvia.

Recommended bet: Draw @ 3.05

Qarabag vs Lech Poznan

Tuesday 12 July, 5pm

Of the 30 teams competing in the first qualifying round, Qarabag have the most UEFA coefficient points. That did not prevent them suffering a 1-0 loss to Lech Poznan last time out, but the Azerbaijani outfit will back themselves to turn the tie around in Baku.

In each of the last seven seasons in which they have participated in Champions League qualifying, Qarabag have won their first tie. Expect them to do the same this season by beating Lech Poznan on Tuesday.

Recommended bet: Qarabag to win @ 1.93

Hibernians vs Shamrock Rovers

Tuesday 12 July, 7pm

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley will have warned his players this tie is not over yet, but a 3-0 aggregate advantage puts the Irish team in pole position to reach the next round.

Hibernians struggled to lay a glove on Rovers in Dublin last week. They may fare better in the more familiar environs of Malta, although UEFA’s regulations have also forced them to stage this match at a different ground on the island. Rovers will be content to keep Hibernians at arm’s length, so this could be a low-scoring affair.

Recommended bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.9

Goals expected to be at a premium in Malta

FK Sutjeska vs Ludogorets Razgrad

Tuesday 12 July, 8pm

Sutjeska Niksic succeeded in frustrating Ludogorets for large spells of the first leg. It took the Bulgarian side until the 74th minute to break the deadlock, before Matias Tissera added what could prove to be a pivotal second goal in stoppage time.

A 2-0 lead will make Ludogorets feel much more secure ahead of the second leg than a 1-0 advantage would have done. Back them to register another clean sheet in Montenegro.

Recommended bet: Ludogorets Razgrad clean sheet @ 2.3

Vikingur vs Malmo

Tuesday 12 July, 8.30pm

Twenty-nine of the 30 teams involved in the first qualifying round automatically entered at this stage. The other, Vikingur Reykjavik, had to first come through a four-team preliminary round. No one gave them a chance against Malmo, but a spirited showing in the first leg saw them lose only 3-2.

Vikingur have already shown they can get at the Swedish side and they will once again commit bodies to attack on Tuesday. This could be another entertaining encounter.

Recommended bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 2.02

Recommended bets

RFS-HJK draw @ 3.05

Qarabag @ 1.93

Hibernians-Shamrock under 2.5 @ 1.9

Ludogorets Razgrad clean sheet @ 2.3

Vikingur-Malmo BTTS & over 2.5 @ 2.02