Champions League Predictions

Celje vs Slovan Bratislava: one-all at Tehelne pole, with history on the line The first leg between Slovan Bratislava and Celje ended 1-1 at the Narodny futbalovy stadion on August 19. The return is on Wednesday, August 26 at 21:00 at Stadion Z’dezele in Celje. Roman Cerepkai put the Slovaks ahead in the 15th minute.…

Viking vs Dinamo Zagreb: a 2-2 draw in Maksimir has blown the tie wide open Viking came away from Stadion Maksimir with a 2-2 draw on August 18. That leaves the Stavanger club with a Champions League play-off second leg on Wednesday August 26 at 21:00, at Lyse Arena. The first leg could hardly have…

Lyon vs Fenerbahce: 1-1 brought back from Istanbul, with seven spots still up for grabs Lois Openda struck first in Istanbul before Fenerbahce pulled level: 1-1, and nothing is settled before the second leg. That is exactly the sort of result Olympique Lyonnais will feel they can live with at home. The second leg is…

NEC Nijmegen vs Bodø/Glimt: two ties won in extra time The two clubs meeting on Wednesday came through the previous round in the same way: extra time, right to the wire. That is the first thing they have in common in a fixture that has never happened before. NEC knocked out Olympiacos after a 0-0…

Hapoel Beer-Sheva vs Sabah: the least glamorous tie on the card, and one of the easiest to read Across four qualification matches, Hapoel Beer-Sheva have conceded just two goals, both in the same game. That is the number that frames this first leg. The Israeli club dumped Red Star Belgrade out in the previous round…

Celtic vs LASK: Kairat still lingers in the background, and the stakes go well beyond football The first-leg play-off between Celtic and LASK takes place on Wednesday 19 August at 20:00 British time at Celtic Park. The return is set for Tuesday 25 August in Linz, at the same time. The draw was held on…

Slovan Bratislava vs Celje: two very different routes to the same play-off tie Slovan Bratislava have come through their first two qualifying rounds without losing a match. Celje needed a penalty shootout and a turnaround to get here. That contrast is the big story heading into this first leg. Both clubs are chasing a place…

Fenerbahce vs Lyon : four Champions League meetings, four Lyon wins Fenerbahce and Lyon have met four times in the main Champions League phase in the 2000s. Lyon won all four games. That history hangs over this playoff tie, but plenty has changed. The Istanbul club have not reached the main phase since 2008, while…

Levski Sofia vs AEK Athens : the numbers behind a tie that looks tighter than it first appears Levski Sofia have played six European qualifying matches this summer. AEK Athens have played none. That gap in rhythm is the first clear factor heading into the first leg. The Bulgarian club came in at the opening…