With the teams already in anticipation of the UEFA Champions League first leg, the matches couldn’t come sooner for the teams and their supporters.
Malmo will welcome Vardar from Macedonia, while Albanian club Kukesi will visit Sheriff Tiraspol. Bosnia and Herzegovina based club Zrinjski will welcome Maribor, while Belarusian club BATE play host to Alashkert from Armenia.
MALMO FF (SWE) vs. VARDAR (MAC)
Three-way: 1: Malmo FF -333; X: +490 Draw; 2: Vardar +1100
Spread -1.5: Malmo FF -106; Vardar -102
Total +2.5: Over -123; Under +120
MALMO FF (SWE)
Currently occupying 1st position in the Swedish top flight, Malmo is getting ready to host the Macedonian side Vardar. The home team finished the last season as the title winners with a six point gap from the second placed team. They were the best team offensively with 56 goals scored, while defensively they have allowed 26 goals.
They have signed Ghanaian midfielder Kingsley Sarfo for 1.4 million Euros from their rivals Sirius. They have also signed keeper Johan Dahlin for Midtjylland.
Their last game was an 1:0 away win in the domestic league on Saturday. They are currently on an unbeaten run for the past five games which include 4 domestic league matches and 1 club friendly. Their recent form will certainly boost their confidence level going into the Champions League clash on Wednesday.
VARDAR (MAC)
The Macedonian team has finished their season with a commanding title triumph in the league last year, where they were 13 points ahead of the second placed team. Vardar was the most prolific team in the league, with a massive 75 goals scored while conceding just 24 during the campaign.
They have recruited two young players. The arrivals is the defender Visar Musliu and midfielder Besar Iseni, both coming on free transfers.
Vardar has played three pre season friendlies, two of them being away matches. They won the first match, and lost the next two.
MALMO FF (SWE) vs. VARDAR (MAC) – My Prediction:
If we take a look at the current form of both teams, it is safe to say that Malmo has been in much better form. Having done a better with their signings, and with the superb support of their home fans, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Malmo clinch this win. Therefore, my prediction will be a Malmo FF victory with at least 2 goals. Go with the over as well.
MY PICK: MALMO FF AH -1.5 (-106)
Additional Pick: Over 2.5 goals (-123)
SHERIFF TIRASPOL (MDA) vs. KUKESI (ALB)
Three-way:1: Sheriff Tiraspol -370; X: +518 Draw; 2: Kukesi +1600
Spread -1.5: Sheriff Tiraspol +127; Kukesi +120
Total +2.5: Over +104; Under -110
SHERIFF TIRASPOL (MDA)
Sheriff had an absolutely terrific and nail-biting finish to their league season last time out. They edged over Dacia to the title only on a superior goal difference. Interestingly, they were also tied up on goals conceded (15). Only more goals scored (71) gave Sheriff the title.
They have signed defenders Posmac and Petru Racu, along with Stefan Mugosa who was signed from 1860 Munich, to strengthen their team. All of them were signed on free transfers.
As the league has already started in Moldova, Sheriff has already played one match, which they won 5:0. Not a bad confidence booster for the Champions League clash.
KUKESI (ALB)
Kukesi has finished off the last season’s difficult, but consistent league campaign, by winning their first league title. On route to the triumph, they scored 51 goals, while conceding just 18, in 36 matches.
They have signed Israeli midfielder Siraq Nasr and Spanish center back Albert Serraan as reinforcements for the coming season, and both on free transfers.
They took part in three friendly matches prior to their Champions League matchup with Sheriff, out of which they were well beaten in two, and managed to win one.
SHERIFF TIRASPOL (MDA) vs. KUKESI (ALB)- Match prediction:
Looking at Kukesi’s last results and form in their friendlies, we can come to the conclusion that they are not quite up to the pace yet. Moreover, this being a home match for Sheriff, gives them the added incentive to win. Hence, my prediction will be a comfortable home win for Sheriff with at least 3 goals scored.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (+104)
ZRINJSKI (BIH) vs. MARIBOR (SLO)
Three-way: 1: Zrinjski +198; X: +213 Draw; 2: Maribor +175
Spread 0: Zrinjski +104; Maribor -111
Total +2.5: Over +145; Under -159
ZRINJSKI (BIH)
Zrinjski had to fight till the very end to win the Bosnian league title last season. They edged out the second placed Zeljeznicar by just a single point. They scored 54 goals, and conceded 25 goals en route to the title.
Zrinjski has reinforced the team with some young blood, as they have signed keeper Ivan Trifkovic, defenders Marin Galic and Djordje Cosic, along with attacker Nardin Mulahusejnovic.
They have played three friendlies during the pre season, out of which they won all three. The team is very confident in their chances of reaching the next round of the Champions League.
MARIBOR (SLO)
Maribor totally dominated the Slovenian league last season. They ended up as winners with a massive 13 points lead over their nearest rivals. They were the best in both attack (63 goals scored) and defense (30 conceded).
They have tried to improve both attacking and defensive departments by signing French centre back Jean Claude Billong and Bosnian forward Jasmin Mesanovic, both coming on free transfers. It is interesting to note that prior to this season, Jasmin Mesanovic has played two seasons for Zrinjski.
Of the three friendlies that Maribor played in the preseason, they have won one, and lost the following two by 1:2 and 0:2.
ZRINJSKI (BIH) vs. MARIBOR (SLO) – Match Prediction:
This is one of the more interesting Champions League matchups scheduled for Wednesday as both teams are equally strong. The hosts are in a great form, considering their pre-season games. Also, playing under the lights of the packed Stadium “Pod Bijelim Bregom”, hosts should be able to prevail and win in a low scoring game.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-159)
BATE (BLR) vs. ALASHKERT (ARM)
Three-way: 1: BATE -500; X: +752 Draw; 2: Alashkert +1900
Spread -2: BATE +112; Alshkert -119
Total +3: Over +104; Under -111
BATE (BLR)
Sitting at the second position in the domestic league currently, BATE is awaiting their next opponent Alashkert and hoping to record a positive result in the Champions League qualifying round. BATE has finished first in the domestic league by a decent margin last year. They came first by a ten points’ gap, and they were the league’s most prolific offense, with 73 goals to their name. At the same time, they conceded 25 goals.
Their last match was a cup victory against Neman Agro (5:1), last Friday. Apart from this, they have only signed one new player so far. Midfielder Stanislav Dragun has been signed on a free transfer. BATE has a lot of experience playing in the European competitions over the last couple of year, especially the Champions League, where they made it to the Group stage in 2015.
ALASHKERT (ARM)
Occupying the top spot in the ongoing season in the league, Alashkert is hoping to keep their net untouched on Wednesday night, when they visit the very strong BATE team. On the other side, Alashkert has finished second in the domestic league last season. This is why they had to go through the first round of the Champions League qualifiers, where they defeated FC Santa Coloma 5-1 on aggregate.
They have made three singings so far in the transfer window, all being free transfers. Maren Muradyan, along with defenders Miljan Jablan and Mladen Zaljkovic have all been brought in to make the team stronger.
BATE (BLR) vs. ALASHKERT (ARM) – Match Prediction:
Bate Borisov team is well known in the international competitions as they have made a name for themselves winning points against teams like AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen in the group stage of the Champions League several seasons ago. Now they will await a fairly unfamiliar team from Armenia and taking all things in consideration, the hosts should not experience too much troubles in winning this game with at least 2 goals difference.
MY PICK: BATE AH -2 (+112)
