The UEFA Champions League is gradually gaining momentum. On Tuesday, 22 July, the second qualifying round for the League Stage kicks off, and this time the teams taking to the field are not just dreaming of reaching the main stage of the tournament, but have already played there many times: Rangers, Salzburg, Dynamo Kyiv and others.
The experts at tips.gg have placed their bets on the most interesting matches of the first week of the second round. Do their opinions match yours?
KuPS vs Kairat Almaty
Both teams successfully navigated the previous qualifying round. The Finnish and Kazakh championships are in full swing, so both teams are in good match rhythm. They even played their last league matches to the same 1-1 scoreline. Furthermore, the Finns are currently third in their league table, while the Kazakhs are second. So, there’s quite a bit in common between the teams. Both teams advanced from the first round thanks to home victories. Kairat, in particular, maximized their chances – in two games, they only managed three shots on target against Olimpia, but all three resulted in goals.
The Finns, on the other hand, scored only one goal in two matches. This clearly demonstrates that Kairat knows how to make the most of minimal opportunities, while KuPS struggles with finishing – even against weaker opponents.
The opponents appear quite evenly matched, and in such games, details usually decide everything. The team that better converts their chances will emerge victorious.
A draw is a perfectly logical outcome, at least for the first leg. However, I would give a slight edge to the hosts.
Match Bet: KuPS to win by 1 goal or Draw with odds of 1.76
In this game, we can expect a cautious approach from the visitors, who will likely focus on defense, and the hosts will find it difficult to break down this defense. As a result, a low-scoring game with few goals is probable, but a high number of corners, which is typical for KuPS in home matches.
Match Bet: Under 3.5 Goals + Over 7.5 Corners with odds of 1.68
Hamrun Spartans vs Dynamo Kyiv
The champions of Malta and Ukraine, respectively, face each other. Of course, the hosts are the underdogs in this tie, and if the Maltese manage not to lose anywhere, it will certainly be on their home ground. In the previous round, it was at home that they outperformed the Lithuanians in all metrics and ultimately advanced. The Kyiv team, along with other clubs from their country, is currently going through a difficult period due to the war in Ukraine. All their European matches will only be formally “home” games. This gives some advantage, however small, to their opponents. Maltese Hamrun, who have finally reached the second qualifying round of the Champions League, can already be satisfied with themselves. Along with advancing to the next round, their dreadful run of low-scoring Champions League matches also ended, and it must be said, the Maltese deserve praise – the games against Zalgiris were not without problems, but the “Spartans” managed to overcome the Lithuanians not by chance at all.
Kyiv’s Dynamo, for whom the matches against Hamrun will be their first official games of the new season, had an unconvincing pre-season. Only one win in six games against not the most renowned opponents does not inspire confidence, but the players played with dedication even in friendly conditions. Dynamo, as an experienced European campaigner, is deservedly considered the favourite, but Hamrun has a chance to make some noise at home.
Considering Hamrun’s last home game and their opponent’s difficult period, I think the hosts have a chance in the first leg. I suggest looking at the Maltese team’s individual total corners. For risk-takers, there’s an adventurous single bet on the hosts to win.
Match Bet: Hamrun Spartans Total Corners Over 3.5 with odds of 1.8
Risky Bet: Hamrun Spartans to Win by exactly one goal or draw with odds 2.68
There is almost no doubt about the overall outcome of the tie, but at least the first match in Malta will be difficult for Kyiv. Therefore, “Both Teams to Score” seems quite probable.
Match Bet: Both Teams to Score with odds of 1.8
Pafos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Last season, the Cypriots performed well, reaching the Round of 16 in the Conference League. This was largely due to their home form (4 wins and only one loss). This particular game will only formally be a home match, but the trend of last season’s play, which included total dominance over opponents, should remain. The Israeli champions have already lost their Super Cup match in the new season, suffering a narrow 1-2 defeat to Hapoel Be’er Sheva, despite Maccabi playing with a man advantage from the 17th minute! Last season, the Israelis competed in the Europa League where they performed quite poorly, finishing only 29th in the League Phase.
In all their home Conference League matches last season, Paphos “outshot” all opponents (17-11, 10-6, 20-7, 32-2, 15-9). The same situation, with the exception of one match, applied to corner kicks (6-2, 7-1, 3-4, 12-2, 6-3). Therefore, I suggest looking closely at these two Paphos metrics.
Match Bet: Paphos to win Corners with odds of 1.7
Rangers vs Panathinaikos
Representatives of countries whose teams demonstrate completely opposite home and away performances meet. It is quite difficult to pick a favourite in this pair, but in the first leg, the advantage is with the hosts.
Ibrox is a stronghold for the Scots, where no one has had or will have an easy time. Last season was frankly unsuccessful. Having lost the championship race to Celtic long before the end of the season, the team was clearly just playing out the string. In the new season, Russell Martin has taken over the team, and in his first official match of the season, he will have to play in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Rangers have been active in the transfer market, although their pre-season preparation was weak – only one friendly game. Additionally, the Scots look weak in defense, so the opponent’s attacks will have their chances.
Panathinaikos finished second in the Greek championship, just one point ahead of their closest pursuer. In 16 away league games, the team lost 5 times, and as mentioned above, playing at home is characteristic of this team – 11 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, and only one loss in the Conference League compared to four wins. However, Panathinaikos can hardly count on a positive result – the Greeks play too poorly away from home. They have a total of seven losses in their previous 11 official away matches. Although a more quality pre-season – five friendly matches in July – speaks in favour of the visitors.
Home advantage will probably play in favour of Rangers. Therefore, the Scottish team will win this match.
Match Bet: Rangers Glasgow to Win with odds of 1.84
It is unlikely that the visitors will force the issue in Scotland, playing as cautiously as possible in defense, putting a much greater emphasis on the return leg. The Celts, on the other hand, have no other option but to go forward with the support of their fans.
Match Bet: Rangers Corners Handicap (-1.5) with odds of 2.02
Viktoria Plzen vs Servette
Ambitious Viktoria continues its systematic development under Miroslav Koubek in terms of squad rejuvenation and implementing a new system. It’s working out quite well: almost perfect results in friendly matches and a crushing victory over Pardubice in the first round of the Czech league. Of course, Viktoria’s extensive European experience, which the team projects onto home games, also speaks in their favor.
Servette causes more concern before the Champions League match, despite three consecutive wins in pre-season friendlies. The Swiss are experiencing tactical problems and are primarily trying to work on their physical condition.
Will this be enough for intrigue in Plzen? The teams already played each other in a knockout tie in the Round of 16 of the Conference League – then two matches ended in goalless draws, and the Czechs advanced after a penalty shootout. We assume that this home game for Viktoria will end in a victory.
Match Bet: Viktoria Plzen to Win with odds of 1.63
Lech Poznan vs Breidablik
Lech has so far played only two official matches: in the Polish Super Cup, where they narrowly lost to Legia Warsaw in an even contest, and in the first round of the Ekstraklasa, where they unexpectedly lost at home to Cracovia with a score of 1-4.
Icelandic Breidablik, in addition to their national league matches, has already played in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. Statistics show that the Icelanders are not always confident away from home – which was also evident in the match in Albania. However, at home, they usually get their way.
In this tie, Breidablik is unlikely to win in Poland, especially considering that Lech will try to rehabilitate themselves in front of their home fans after a poor start to the season. It is likely that everything will be decided in the return leg in Iceland.
Match Bet: Lech to Win and Under 4.5 Goals with odds of 1.6
Brann vs RB Salzburg
The debut of Norwegian Brann in the Champions League is a significant event in the club’s history, but the Scandinavians have drawn a tough opponent. However, the Norwegians have an important advantage over the Austrians. Brann regularly competes in national tournaments, not leaving Norway, while Salzburg returned from the Club World Cup only a few weeks ago. And although the “Bulls” did not exert excessive effort there, the flight to another hemisphere, time zone changes, and almost no full vacation could not but affect the team. Moreover, Salzburg does not have the squad depth of top clubs like Chelsea or PSG.
It should also be taken into account that Brann plays very confidently on their home ground, where they defeated the Eliteserien leader, Viking (3-1), in their last match. So it is quite possible that the Austrians will try simply not to concede many goals here, and then show attacking football at home. Therefore, I expect dominance from the first team, but with a safety net.
Match Bet: Brann Double Chance (1X) + Over 1.5 Goals with odds of 1.95