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.
Sheriff Tiraspol (Mda) vs. Qarabag (Aze)
Three-Way: 1: Sheriff Tiraspol +222; X: +220 Draw; 2: Qarabag +154
Spread 0: Sheriff Tiraspol +123; Qarabag -132
Total +2: Over -106; Under -103
Sheriff Tiraspol
A gutsy defensive performance in Azerbaijan means that Tiraspol will host the 2nd leg with a clean sheet from the 1st leg, which is impressive considering they were the underdogs. Despite the good work protecting their goal, Sheriff Tiraspol were less productive going forward as they had no shots on target, which will be a concern as they will have to score at some point in order to progress; unless penalties are decide game winner. The Moldovan champions will also be wary of that as they have never qualified for the Champions League group stage.
During the offseason Sheriff Tiraspol has signed seven players, while ten players left, most notably winger Ricardinho who will be a big miss for them after leaving for a free transfer to Red Star Belgrade. Manager Roberto Bordin will have a full squad roster for selection.
Qarabag
With 14 shots and 65 percent Qarabag will feel disappointed in themselves for not converting at least one of their chances. Perhaps the 5-time Azerbaijan League winners are still reeling from a poor pre-season, losing all 3 friendlies including a harrowing 5:1 loss to Brondby IF. However, all is not lost as it should not be forgotten that they are still favorites to go through the tie.
Like their opponents, Qarabag have never appeared in the Champions League proper, although their European stature is improving as they have qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the last 2 seasons, not making past the group stage.
The Azerbaijani side have made four additions to their squad this summer, including the right-winger Anton Kanibolotsky on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donestk, while six players departed. Manager Gurban Gurbanov will be with a full squad roster.
Sheriff Tiraspol (Mda) vs. Qarabag (Aze) – Match Prediction:
Simply put, Qarabag has goals while Tiraspol do not, and just one goal should be enough to see Qarabag through, possibly on away goals. It should also be noted that unless the winner receives a particularly favorable draw, it is unlikely that either team will make the group stage.
MY PICK: Qarabag to Win (+154)
BATE (Blr) vs. Slavia Prague (Cze)
Three-Way: 1: BATE +256; X: +229 Draw; Slavia Prague +140
Spread +0.5: BATE -147; Slavia Prague +135
Total +2: Over -108; Under +102
BATE
BATE is certainly disappointed coming away from Tuesday’s game in Prague, having failed to score an away goal and leaving themselves in a difficult position for the 2nd leg. Their failure to score was a result of rarely making a goal threat, having only 3 shots overall, but the blame lies mostly with Evgeni Yablonski who conceded a penalty that was converted and receiving a straight red after just 19 minutes.
The Belarusian side can look to their recent history for inspiration, having qualified for the Champions League group stage 4 times out of the last 6 seasons.
During the offseason BATE has signed 3 players, while only centre-back Milos Ostojic left the team as a free agent. Manager Kakhaber Tskhadadze will have a full squad for selection except for Evgeni Yablonski who was sent off in the 1st leg.
Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague will feel in good form after becoming the Czechoslovak League winners last season and their good feeling would have carried through while comfortably beating BATE 1:0 in the 1st leg.
Slavia Prague had a relatively comfortable time on Tuesday night, reducing BATE to just one shot on target while retaining 63% of possession. Furthermore, record signing Milan Skoda, who scored 15 goals last season, continued his goal scoring streak by converting a penalty after 20 minutes of play. Without any away goals conceded, the Czech side will be confident of progressing past the 2nd leg of the Champions League third round.
Slavia Prague has made eight additions to their squad this summer, while twelve players left, including the promising talent Antonin Barak to Udinese Calcio for €3 million. Manager Jaroslav Silhavy will be without Jaromir Zmrhal (wound) and Jakub Hromada (ruptured knee ligament) through injury.
BATE (Blr) vs. Slavia Prague (Cze) – Match Prediction:
Slavia Prague are slight favorites and for a good reason, with no away goals to be concerned with, they will play with freedom and poise and as a result could rollover their opponents. BATE will have to retain possession and take the game to Prague, but I’m not sure that they have the quality that will allow them to carry this plan out with success, with Slavia Prague taking the punches and keeping it a low scoring game in which at least one team will not manage to score a goal.
MY PICK: Both teams to score NO (-128)
Legia (Pol) vs. FC Astana (Kaz)
Three-Way: 1: Legia -120; X: +284 Draw; 2: Astana +375
Spread -0.5: Legia -122; Astana +116
Total +2.5: Over -110; Under +102
Legia
Legia Warsaw will still be rattled from a 3:1 defeat in Kazakhstan, a game that they will feel they could have performed better. The Polish champions saved face with a 78th minute goal from Armando Sadiku, who took just eight minutes to make an impact, but a 94th minute Astana goal meant that they go into the next leg with a clear disadvantage.
Despite being favorites to win, progression will take the men to reach a higher level of performance, which looks even more unlikely after also failing to win their first two league games.
Legia reached the group stage of the Champions League last season, the furthest they have reached this century, so it would be a step backwards if they were to go out at such an early stage.
The Polish side´s summer has seen seven new arrivals, including centre-forward Armando Sadiku from FC Zurich, and six departures, notably the loss of midfielder Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe to Olympiakos for 2.5 million Euros. Manager Jacek Magiera will be without Miroslav Radovic (Knee), Tomasz Jodlowiec (Heel) and Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Ankle) through.
FC Astana
The Kazakhstani side put an in impressive performance as they put 3 goals past their opponent and left with a 2 goal advantage going into the away leg. Astana will also be ecstatic with their recent form, having won each of their last 6 league games and are unbeaten in their last 9 games in all competitions. The man to watch for FC Astana is centre-forward Junior Kabananga who has scored 14 times in 21 appearances in the 2017 domestic league season, as well as scoring and assisting in the 1st leg.
FC Astana have reached as far as the group stage of the Champions League in the 2015-16 season, the first time they reached this stage.
Astana has made two loan signings this summer, notably the Croatian winger Marin Tomasov who has come in from HNK Rijeka, the young French midfielder Olivier Ntcham from Manchester City, with six having left the team, including Nemanja Maksimovic who has joined Valencia CF on a free transfer. Manager Stanimir Stoilov will be missing both Igor Shitov and Dmitri Shomoko through suspension.
Legia (Pol) vs. FC Astana (Kaz) – Match Prediction:
Legia Warsaw should have had the quality to progress the tie, but Astana has proved to be tricky customers. On top of this and their recent form, even though they may lose the game FC Astana should have enough to at least scrape through the tie. However, knowing whats at stake, the hosts will do whatever it takes to score and early goal. If so, this could turn out to be a high scoring game, which is why I am going with the over 2.5 goals.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-110)
