To be fair, there are no losers in the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League. There are only bigger winners and lesser winners. Teams that emerge victorious in this two legged round will participate in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League while the losing teams will participate in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League meaning that every team that advanced into this stage has already secured the autumn in one of European team competitions.
The fact that your team already secured at least six more games in one of the European team competitions’ groups stages puts some pressure on the players and managers and should present a catalyst for some high-quality soccer performances. Also, the teams that enter the competition at this stage present formidable force in their respective national championships and every soccer fan is definitely in for a treat.
Qarabag (Aze) vs. FC Copenhagen (Den)
Three-Way: 1: Qarabag +170; X: +215; FC Copenhagen +238
Spread 0: Qarabag -139; FC Copenhagen +133
Total +2: Over -108; Under +104
QARABAG
The five-time Azerbaidzanian Champions, Qarabag team from Agdam is already having a season for the history as they’ve managed to be one of the teams that will play in one of the UEFA team competitions during autumn.
On their road to this stage of the Champions League, they went by Georgian side Samtredia in second qualifying round (6:0 in aggregate) and Moldovan Champion Sheriff Tiraspol in the third qualifying round (2:1 on aggregate), achieving one of the biggest successes in the team’s history.
Now, they face the greatest threat so far, the Danish Champion FC Copenhagen but they will be considered as underdogs in this matchup, meaning that they can play without pressure. Either way, their fans will be extremely satisfied because UEFA Europa League group stage is definitely not an underachievement for the team from Azerbaijan.
During the offseason, four players returned from loans while four new guys strengthened the roster including new goalkeeper Anton Kanibolotsky who came from Shakhtar Donetsk and Wilde-Donald Guerrier who came from Alanyaspor on a free transfer. Centre-back Jakub Rzeznicak was signed from Legia Warszawa for a fee of 300.000 Euros. Five, mostly older veteran players left the team after the last season ended. Head coach Gurban Gurbanov doesn’t have any injury woes before the first leg Champions League playoff round matchup.
FC COPENHAGEN
The Danish champions, FC Copenhagen team defeated Slovak’s Champions Žilina in the Champions League second qualifying round (4:3 in aggregate) and Macedonian Champions Vardar team (4:2 in aggregate) in the third qualifying round and now they find themselves one step away from UEFA Champions League group stage.
If they qualify, and they are given better odds than their rivals, it will mean that the team achieved the biggest goal that was set before the season beginning on the international scene. A loss here would hurt their fans more than Qarabag’s and there might be some pressure on the squad.
The team was very active in the transfer market, selling four players for a combined fee of 12.35 Million Euros (Ludwig Augustinsson signed for Werder Bremen – 4.50 Mill. Euros; Andreas Cornelius signed for Atalanta – 3.50 Mill. Euros, Zanka signed for Huddersfield – 2.70 Mill. Euros and Jores Okore signed for Aalborg BK – 565.000 Euros).
On the other side, they bought three players for a combined fee of 5.00 Million Euros (Pieros Sotiriou from APOEL Nicosia – 2.50 Mill. Euros, Michael Luftner from Slavia Prague – 1.50 Mill. Euros and Pierre Bengtsson from FSV Mainz 05 – 1.00 Mill. Euros). Center-back Erik Johansson (cruciate ligament injury) and left-back Nicolai Boilesen (fracture) are out because of injuries while midfielder Jan Gregus will be unavailable in the first leg because of indirect card suspension.
Qarabag (Aze) vs. FC Copenhagen (Den) – Match Prediction
FC Copenhagen definitely has the upper hand in this matchup but my safe bet here would be the number of total goals scored. I would go with over two goals (maybe even three) in total because the host knows how to score at home and the guests proved to be very efficient in previous rounds. With that being said, there is a high possibility of both teams scoring as well and considering the +114 offered, I see some good value for a buck!!!
MY PICK: Over 2 goals (-108)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (+114)
APOEL (Cyp) vs. Slavia Prague (Cze)
Three-Way: 1: APOEL +181; X: +215; Slavia Prague +189
Spread 0: APOEL -106; Slavia Prague -101
Total +2: Over -103; Under -103
APOEL
The most famous Cyprian team, APOEL Nicosia who has 26 national championship titles and 21 Cyprian cup winner titles is significantly weakened this year as they sold their best player, striker Pieros Sotiriou to FC Copenhagen during this offseason for a fee of 2.50 Million Euros.
Nevertheless, the team managed to qualify to reach the playoff round of the UEFA Champions League qualifications stage with wins over Luxembourgian Champions (F91 Dudelange – 2:0 in aggregate) and Romanian Champions (Viitorul Constanta – 4:1 in aggregate) in previous rounds setting one of the team’s most successful seasons.
Especially exciting was the duel against Romanians when they managed to score three goals in extra-time after leading 1:0 in regular-time play as part of the second leg match at home (Romanian side won the first leg match up 1:0 in Romania). We shall see if they have the juice to appear in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League this year but the odds are not on their side.
As mentioned above, they sold their best player and three other players also left while ten new guys signed for the team. The most noticeable addition is the twenty-one years old right winger Andreas Makris who came from English side Walsall FC for a fee worth 200.000 Euros. Also, the young duo from Aris Limassol, left-winger Minas Antonio, and right-back Kypros Christoforou strengthened the squad during the offseason on a free transfer. Greek manager Georgios Donis who signed for the team ten days ago will have his entire roster available for Tuesday.
SLAVIA PRAGUE
The Czech Champions, Slavia Prague team entered the UEFA Champions League competition in the third qualifying round and sneaked by the Belarus Champions BATE Borisov on an away goal rule (2:2 in aggregate) as they managed to score one away goal in this two-match duel. They were also pretty lucky in the playoff round to draw as they got one of the weakest teams in this round but still a respectable opponent, the Cyprian representatives.
Not qualifying for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League after this draw would be considered as an underachievement and Slavia Prague’s players and manager might be under the biggest pressure of all four teams in this preview.
During the offseason, they sold their two best players, goalie Jiri Pavlenka to Werder Bremen and attacking midfielder Antonin Barak to Udinese for a fee of 3.00 Mill. Euros each. On the other side, nine new players were signed including left winger Miroslav Stoch who came from Turkish side Fenerbahce for a fee worth 1.00 Mill. Euros. Manager Jaroslav Silhavy will have his entire roster available.
APOEL (Cyp) vs. Slavia Prague (Cze) – Match Prediction
I think that the Czechs have enough power to solve this duel in the first leg with a road win in Nicosia and that’s where I would put my money on.
MY PICK: Slavia Prag to win (+189)
