Champions League qualifying tips: trio eyeing step closer to group stage riches

The Champions League group stage will take another significant step closer in midweek, when the second round of qualifying matches conclude.

Many of the first legs were not decided decisively, making this round of games potentially thrilling as some of the continent’s minnows continue to dream of mixing it with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City in the group stages.

Here are three handpicked bets that are worth keeping tabs on during what is sure to be a thrilling midweek round of games.

Shkupi v Dinamo Zagreb

Tuesday, 26 July, 8pm

Macedonian outfit Shkupi approach the second leg of their match with Dinamo Zagreb having claimed a 2-2 draw in the first leg. However, it was a one-sided affair, dominated by the Croatian outfit. Indeed, Shkupi scored with their only two shots on target and were comfortably behind their rivals in the xG statistic.

Dinamo come into this match in superb scoring form. They have struck 10 goals in their last three competitive matches, beating Slaven 5-1 in the league at the weekend. The Zagreb club have seen 15 goals in their previous three outings, so expect them to progress in a high-scoring match.

Recommended bet: Dinamo Zagreb / over 2.5 goals @ 2.04

All to play for in Macedonia after 2-2 first leg stalemate

Zurich v Qarabag

Wednesday, 27 July, 6pm

Zurich successfully kept themselves in this awkward tie thanks to a 3-2 loss in Azerbaijan last week. Having fallen 2-0 and 3-1 behind, to trail by just a single goal seems like a rather positive result for the Swiss and gives them a strong chance of progression against a team that lost 1-0 away to Lech Poznan in the previous round.

Zurich managed more shots on target last week than their opponents, and though they were held 0-0 in the Swiss league against Luzern at the weekend, that they made seven changes to their starting XI shows how seriously they are treating this tie.

Qarabag lost 3-0 away in Basel, a club that finished well below Zurich, last season in the Europa Conference League.

Recommended bet: Zurich @ 2.06

Olympiacos v Maccabi Haifa

Wednesday, 27 July, 8pm

Everything points to a home victory in the second leg of this encounter, despite the first leg finishing 1-1. The Israeli side pinched a draw thanks to a stoppage-time goal, and while that was deserved, they have no record of travelling well in European football.

Maccabi have lost four of their last five European matches, while they have won only four of their last 27 on their travels, losing the vast majority. Conversely, Olympiacos have a strong home pedigree in Europe. Last season, they won four of seven fixtures in front of their support. The two defeats they suffered were against Eintracht Frankfurt, who went on to win the Europa League, and Atalanta. Haifa are nowhere near this bracket.

Recommended bet: Olympiacos @ 1.7

Recommended bets

Dinamo Zagreb / over 2.5 goals @ 2.04

Zurich @ 2.06

Olympiacos @ 1.7