Champions League: Rangers feature among Greg Lea's six bets for this week's qualifiers

Just six places remain up for grabs in the Champions League group stages. Who will advance through the play-offs into the competition proper? Greg Lea predicts the first leg results.

Rangers vs PSV

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Every club in Europe will argue that their home stadium is special, but Rangers have a stronger claim than most. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Ibrox factor was integral to the club’s run to the Europa League final last term as home leg victories in the last 16, quarter-final and semi-final made up for losses on the road.

Rangers were at it again in the third qualifying round, overturning a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to advance at the expense of Union Saint-Gilloise. PSV are a fine side, but even they will struggle to leave Ibrox with a positive result.

Selection: Rangers to win @ 2.68

Bodø/Glimt vs Dinamo Zagreb

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Bodø/Glimt eased past FK Žalgiris in the third qualifying round, with a 5-0 victory in the home leg in effect putting the tie to bed at the midway point. They will strive to establish another first-leg lead in the play-offs, although Dinamo Zagreb will pose a sterner test than Žalgiris.

Nevertheless, we can expect Bodø/Glimt to make a fast start in front of their own fans. In seven of their last eight home games in all competitions, Kjetil Knutsen’s side has scored at least once in the first half. Back them to do the same here.

Selection: Bodø/Glimt over 0.5 goals first half @ 1.94

Copenhagen vs Trabzonspor

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

These two teams entered the qualification process in the play-off stage, so this will be their first match in the 2022/23 edition of the tournament. Copenhagen qualified by winning the Danish title last term, while Trabzonspor’s equivalent triumph in Turkey sees them enter the Champions League for the first time in a decade.

This will probably be a close, tight encounter. And while Trabzonspor may ultimately triumph over two legs, home advantage could be a pivotal factqor in Tuesday’s first meeting.

Selection: Copenhagen to win @ 2.18

Qarabağ vs Viktoria Plzeň

Kick-off: 5.45pm Wednesday

Qarabağ squeezed past Zurich in the third qualifying round, progressing 5-4 on aggregate after the second leg went to extra time. Their upcoming opponents had a smoother passage, thrashing Finnish outfit HJK 7-1 over 180 minutes.

The last round showed that these two sides know how to find the back of the net, so I fancy this to be an entertaining and high-scoring affair. Three goals or more is attractively valued by Smarkets traders.

Selection: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.24

Dynamo Kyiv vs Benfica

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Two European heavyweights will go head-to-head in the play-offs, with only one of Dynamo Kyiv (two-time Cup Winners’ Cup winners) or Benfica (two-time European champions) able to proceed to the group stage.

To stand a realistic chance of making it into the final 32, Dynamo will probably need to come out on top in Poland, a neutral venue that hosts the first leg. But, while they might be able to keep things tight for the opening 45 minutes, Benfica’s superior quality should ultimately tell.

Selection: Draw half-time/Benfica full-time @ 4.4

Maccabi Haifa vs Crvena Zvezda

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Maccabi Haifa have impressed on their way to the play-offs, beating Olympiacos 5-1 on aggregate and then overcoming Apollon Limassol 4-2 last time out. Crvena Zvezda, who only entered in the third qualifying round, made light work of Pyunik in a 7-0 triumph over two legs. As a result, this feels like an evenly-matched tie. 

Although both teams have scored freely in their previous qualifiers, I expect this will be a much tighter affair. But rather than backing under 2.5 goals, it is worth backing both teams not to score at a more appealing price.

Selection: Both teams not to score @ 1.9

Recommended bets

Back Rangers to win @ 2.68
Back Bodø/Glimt Over 0.5 first half goals @ 1.94
Back Copenhagen to win @ 2.18
Back Qarabağ-Viktoria Plzeň Over 2.5 goals @ 2.24
Back Draw/Benfica Half-time/Full-time @ 4.4
Back Maccabi Haifa-Crvena Zvezda Both teams to score - No @ 1.9