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.
Olympiakos (Gre) vs. Partizan (Srb)
Three-Way: 1: Olympiakos -164; X: +340 Draw; Partizan +570
Spread -1.: Olympiakos +106; Partizan -108
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under +110
Olympiakos
The Greek champions achieved a solid 3:1 away win, placing one foot of firmly in the playoffs and a step away from a Greek tragedy. Despite an even game, at least in number of shots and possession-wise, Olympiakos came away clear winners through their clinical finishing in front of goal, with two fine finishes from centre-forward El Fardou Ben Mohamed and one late goal from the man who replaced Mohamed, Emenike. A disaster would have to ensue in the home leg for Olympiakos to get knocked out, and as such are clear favorites to progress.
The Greek side has had much success in Europe, last qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League in the 2015-16 season and making the first knockout round as recently as in the 2013-14 campaign. Olympiakos has a great chance of reaching the Champions League group stage once again this year, permitting a disastrous draw in the play-offs.
Olympiakos has had a busy transfer window having signed nine players, including centre-forward Emmanuel Emenike from Fenerbahce for 2.5 million Euros, while eleven players left. Manager Besnik Hasi will have a full squad roster for selection.
Partizan
For all of the Serbian champions´ possession, it will be a disappointment that all it could amount to was one scrappy goal, scored by Leandre Geal Tawamba Kana. Partizan now face mission impossible, with the task of overturning a 3:1 deficit while away from home against all odds. The Serbian side may find a ray of light in their form, having not been beaten in a competitive game for nearly a year, up until Tuesday’s game.
FK Partizan last reached the group stage in the 2010-11 season, finishing 4th while losing all six games. It looks like they may have to wait another year to reach the Champions League group stage again.
During the summer, three new players have arrived and twelve players left, including the loss of centre-back Nikola Milenkovic to Fiorentina for 5.1 million Euros. All players are available for manager Miroslav Djukic´s selection, other than Dusan Vlahovic who is ineligible to play.
Olympiakos (Gre) vs. Partizan (Srb) – Match Prediction:
All indicators point towards a crushing defeat inflicted by Olympiakos. The Greek side are simply more clinical and, spurred on by a large home crowd, will get more chances as a result; expect quite a few goals.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-120)
CSKA Moscow (Rus) vs. AEK Athens (Gre)
Three-Way: 1: CSKA Moscow -179; X: +320 Draw; 2: AEK Athens +620
Spread -1: CSKA Moscow +100; AEK Athens +100
Total +2.5: Over +110; Under -119
CSKA Moscow
CSKA finished the 1st leg with a routine 2:0 win with two headed goals scored by Alan Dzagoev and Pontus Wernbloom. Despite the score-line seeming straightforward, CSKA Moscow were left wondering why they didn’t take full command of the game with an impressive central-midfield axis of Wernbloom, Dzagoev and Golovin, who helped gain a measly 45% share of possession. Nonetheless they will be content with their efficiency, scoring 2 out of their 3 attempts on target.
The last time the Russian side fell short of the Champions League group stage was all the way back in the 2003-04 season. As long as they can avoid any major blunders, the expectation to qualify should be fulfilled with relative ease.
Zero new players have arrived during the offseason, while six have left. Manager Viktor Goncharenko will have a full squad selection.
AEK Athens
The Greek side are at a huge disadvantage in the 2nd leg after an abject performance in Athens. AEK Athens progressing to the next round would now require a supernatural event with a 2:0 1st leg home loss, an inferior side and playing the 2nd leg in Moscow, it doesn’t look good for ´The Yellow-Blacks’. That being said, AEK Athens can at least take some pride from their season so far, sitting proudly at the top of their domestic league after 6 games.
AEK Athens has not reached the Champions League since the 2006-07 season, finishing 3rd in their group. I wouldn’t suggest placing any bets on the Greeks repeating this feat.
During the offseason AEK Athens have signed seven players, including attacker Marko Livaja who joined from UD Las Palmas on loan, while seven left. Manager Manolo Jiménez will be missing Vasilios Lampropoulos (Cruciate Ligament Rupture) and Vasilios Barkas (Hand) through injury, but will otherwise have a full selection.
CSKA Moscow (Rus) vs. AEK Athens (Gre) – Match Prediction:
CSKA will already have one eye on the play-offs, but I am sure they will play in a composed, professional manner while winning smoothly. I could see Moscow pulling their foot off the gas after scoring the first goal or two, therefore I would go for a simple win without too many goals.
MY PICK: CSKA AH -1 (+100)
Plzen (Cze) vs. FCSB (Rou)
Three-Way: 1: Plzen +117; X: +260 Draw; 2: FCSB +276
Spread -0.5: Plzen +110; FCSB -118
Total +2.5: Over -103; Under -102
Plzen
A thrilling and physical game in Bucharest , which contained a total of 49 fouls, slightly favored the Czech side as they left with two crucial away goals as the game finished 2 apiece. Furthermore, the 4-times Czech First League winners will feel a sense of gratification after stopping a losing streak of three games in its tracks. Saying that, Plzen will have to stay more disciplined in the home leg as they were lucky to get away with 6 yellow cards without a single red card being issued.
Plzen last reached the group stage of the Champions League in 2013-14 season, but were ultimately knocked out of the group that contained the likes of Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and Bayern Munich.
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 injury.
FCSB
Steaua București showed a lot of character in the 1st leg as they came from behind twice to draw the game 2:2. However, they face the tricky task of having to win in Plzen unless they can draw with at least two goals scored.
FCSB are a team of colossal stature within Europe, having won the European Cup in the 1985-86 season, but their reputation has faltered in recent years and last qualified for the group stage of the Champions League in the 2013-14 season.
The Romanian side has made eight signings this summer, notably attacking midfielder Constantin Budescu from Astra Giurgiu for 750 thousand Euros, while a long list of seventeen men left the team. Manager Nicolae Dicawill be disappointed to be missing his new star signing Constantin Budescu, who also scored in the 1st leg, through a muscle injury, but will otherwise have a full selection.
Plzen (Cze) vs. FCSB (Rou) – Match Prediction:
After the 1st leg, and both teams needing to score, I would expect another goal-frenzy in the Doosan Arena. If Plzen can remain composed in front of their home crowd, they should have enough to progress past their opponents.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-103)
