Third qualifying round rematches of the UEFA Champions League will be played during the week and we’re all looking forward to find out the names of the squads that will get one step closer to the group stage of this competition.
Winners will face one further challenge in the final play-off round that will give us the names of 32 teams that shall play in the group stage of the Champions League.
Young Boys (Sui) vs. Dynamo Kiev (Ukr)
Three-Way: 1: Young Boys +150; X: +265 Draw; Dynamo Kiev +189
Spread 0: Young Boys -119; Dynamo Kiev +112
Total +3: Over +119; Under -125
Young Boys
Injury-time drama saw Young Boys leaving Kiev with the disadvantage of a 3:1 loss to their opponents. A 91st minute goal from new-signing Christian Fassnacht made it seem like Young Boys would be taking an admirable 2:1 score to the home leg, only to have their elation snatched away by a 93rd minute Dynamo Kiev goal. The Swiss side must score at least 2 goals, and will look towards veteran striker Guillaume Hoarau to help them achieve their aim after scoring 25 goals last season in all competitions.
History looks down upon the Young Boys as they have never qualified for the UEFA Champions League, and a 3:1 defeat would suggest that history will not be re-written for at least another season.
Young Boys have had a busy transfer window having signed seven players and letting nine men go. Notable transfers include the 20-year-old centre-midfielder Djibril Sow signing from Bor. M’gladbach for 2 million Euros, while midfielder Denis Zakaria was transferred the other way to Bor. M’gladbach for 12 million Euros. Manager Adi Hütter will be missing Taulant Seferi through injury, but will otherwise have a full squad roster for selection.
Dynamo Kiev
The 28-times domestic league champions put in a competent performance against their opponents in front of a large home crowd, but the favorites may have wished for an easier time, considering that both teams had the same possession and number of shots. On the other hand, Dynamo Kiev at least had fortune on their side to obtain a spirited 3:1 lead, and they have Denys Harmash to thank for a lucky last minute goal, in which the ball dropped to him after a long ball bounced its way through a host of bodies to leave Harmash one on one with the keeper.
The Ukrainian side reached the Champions League group stage last season, but finished 4th within their group. There will be expectation from the fans for Dynamo Kiev to qualify again.
During the summer two new players have arrived and seven players left, including the loss of attacking-midfielder Younès Belhanda to Galatasaray and Lukasz Teodorczyk to Anderlecht. All players are available for manager Aleksandr Khatskevich’s selection.
Young Boys (Sui) vs. Dynamo Kiev (Ukr) – Match Prediction:
Dynamo Kiev should have the quality to progress and their late 3rd goal may prove to be the decisive moment of the tie. Young Boys will produce a courageous fight but will fall short; I would place bets on a draw, but will also go with the under.
MY PICK: DRAW(+269)
Additional Pick: Under 3 goals (-125)
Ajax (Ned) vs. Nice (Fra)
Three-Way: 1: Ajax -119; X: +279 Draw; 2: Nice +384
Spread -0.5: Ajax -125; Nice +114
Total +2. 5: Over -115; Under +108
Ajax
Ajax scored a vital away goal away in the 49th minute after Nice´s keeper punched a cross straight out to Donny van de Beek, who simply volleyed it home with the side of his foot. Additionally, Ajax were the team on the front foot for the majority of the game, with 59% possession and six shots on target to their opponents two. Despite failing to score in the 1st leg, Kasper Dolberg at just 19-years-old is the man to watch for Ajax. Dolberg scored 23 goals in all competitions last year, which is very impressive when you consider his age.
The 33-times Eredivisie champions have real pedigree on the European level, having won the European Cup / Champions League 4 times, as well as the UEFA Cup. Last season Ajax reached the UEFA Europa League final, but were left bitterly disappointed as they lost to a superior side in Manchester United.
Four new players have arrived during the offseason, including Holland international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from FC Schalke 04, while six have left, notably attacking-midfielder Davy Klassen who has signed for Everton for a fee of 27 million Euros. Manager Marcel Keizer will be without Dale Sinkgraven (Knee), Norbert Alblas (Wrist) and Abdelhak Nouri after his in-game collapse 3 weeks ago.
Nice
A 32nd minute Mario Balotelli goal was not enough for Nice to win against tricky opposition, leaving the 4-times French champions with a slight disadvantage after a 1:1 score line. Furthermore, going to Amsterdam and needing a win or high-scoring draw is a difficult task for any side, so Nice will have to hope their two star players Mario Balotelli and Jean Michaël Seri are both on top-form.
The last time the French side qualified for the top European competition was in the 1959-60 season. However, Nice are not regulars in European qualifiers, not having made at least the preliminary rounds of any European competition between the seasons of 1976-77 and 2013-14.
During the offseason Nice signed five players, while nine left. Manager Lucien Favre will be missing Wylian Cyprien after he suffered from a Cruciate Ligament Rupture, but will otherwise have a full selection.
Ajax (Ned) vs. Nice (Fra) – Match Prediction:
I could see another close game here, in probably what is the highlight across all Champions League qualifiers with some top players on show. However, Ajax has the better squad depth and will edge the game.
MY PICK: Ajax to win (-119)
Basaksehir (Tur) vs. Club Brugge KV (Bel)
Three-Way: 1: Basaksehir -118; X: +285 Draw; 2: Club Brugge +400
Spread -0.5: Basaksehir -120; Club Brugge +112
Total +2.5: Over -110; Under +104
Basaksehir
A six-goal-thriller in Brugge left the fans in awe after top quality football was on show. The story for Basaksehir from the incredible 1st leg is coming back from 2:0 down to draw 3:3, which was started by a wonderful 20-yard goal scored by Marcio Mossoró, which he drilled into the top left corner.
It should be noted that Basaksehir have seen some top quality players come in the last few years, with the acquisitions of the likes of Gael Clichy, Gökhan Inler and Emmanuel Adebayor a sign of things to come.
The Turkish side has never been involved with Champions League football, nor have they qualified for the Europa League despite reaching the playoffs last season.
Basaksehir’s summer has seen ten new arrivals, with some very notable additions to their squad, including the signing of Elijero Elia from Feyenoord. Twelve players left over the off season, notably Cengiz Ünder who has signed for AS Roma at a price of 13.4 million Euros. Manager Abdullah Avci will be without Aurélien Chedjou (Foot) and Emre Belözoglu (Knee) through injury.
Club Brugge KV
Permitting a high-scoring draw, Club Brugge will have to go to Istanbul hungry for the win as a result of conceding 3 goals against a good side. The Belgian side’s mood will have been further dampened on Tuesday’s night after their initial elation, letting a 2:0 lead slip from their hands in their home ground. A top performance from Colombian international José Izquierdo could help inspire a victory away from home.
The 14-times Belgian league winners reached the Champions League group stage last season, finishing 4th in their group while losing every game.
Club Brugge has made nine signings this summer, notably defensive midfielder Marvelous Nakamba from Vitesse for 3 million Euros, while seven men left for pastures new. Manager Ivan Leko will be missing Benoît Poulain (abductor muscle), Elton Acolatse (Groin) and Wesley (Meningitis).
Basaksehir (Tur) vs. Club Brugge KV (Bel)– Match Prediction:
After the 1st leg, Basaksehir is at a clear advantage with their three away goals. Furthermore, they have lots of European experience in their side which will carry them through to the next round. Basaksehir to win is a safe bet. This could also be a game in which both teams could score, so I would place a bet on it as well.
MY PICK: Basaksehir to win (-112)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-125)
