Qarabag’s bid to reach the UCL group phase continues Wednesday, hosting Ferencvaros in the third qualifying round (first leg) in the club’s adopted home of Baku. Live-bet on the Champions League action in our sportsbook.
Check the latest Champions League news, stats, injury reports and Champions League odds for Champions League Qualifiers. There are plenty of Champions League picks and predictions for you to consider.
Qarabag vs Ferencvaros
Quality of Hungarian football has improved in the past few years. and Ferencvaros have been doing the same, alongside the national team. They were very close to making the Champions League group portion last season, and their 4-1 win at Slovan Bratislava in the previous qualification round proves they’re ready to make a strong push this time around.
Qarabag have survived a pair of qualifying rounds, and is in its seventh qualification campaign since 2013-14. The Azerbaijani champions beat Lech Poznan, 5-2, on aggregate in the first round, then edged FC Zurich, 5-4, to book a date with Ferencvaros.
Qarabag’s recent home form has been impressive, winning three of their last four fixtures across all of the competitions (drawing the other), scoring 13 goals and conceding five. Qarabag are expected to win on home soil, but the tie will probably be decided in the return leg. Qarabag played in the Europa Conference League last season, progressing to the knockout rounds (Group H) by finishing second, They lost, 6-1, on aggregate to Marseille. Expect a high-scoring affair between two attacking teams, so we’ll back the goals in our soccer picks and parlays.
Parlay Pick: Over 2½ goals (+110)
Ludogorets vs Dinamo Zagreb
Eyes will be on Huvepharma Arena Tuesday as Ludogorets and Dinamo Zagreb meet in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round. Despite failing to impress in the doubleheader with Shkupi, Zagreb eventually came out on top, securing a meeting with the Bulgarian champions. They managed to destroy Istra last out, 4-1, and they look more than ready for this clash.
Someone to always watch for the visitors is Bruno Petkovic, who was rested in the last game. Mahir Emreli is pushing for a start as well. Both Josip Sutalo and Kevin Theophile remain in recovery, Dario Spikic is questionable.
Four previous meetings between Ludogorets and Dinamo Zagreb ended with the Bulgarian side dominating. The last two encounters (home and away) saw them win, results that should motivate ahead of this fifth meeting with the Croatian team. Both teams are undoubtedly in great scoring form now, and will fight to secure a win.
After, losing, 2-1 to Shamrock Rovers last week, Ludogorets managed to return to their winning ways, blitzing Spartak Varna, 5-0, in their domestic league. Their previous four encounters across all competitions produced at least three goals in each., same with four of Zagreb’s last five. So, we’re going with goals, and if you’re betting online, do the same.
Parlay Pick: Over 2 goals (-125)
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Plzen
Sheriff booked their place in the third by beating Zrinjski and Maribor, Bear in mind they’re eyeing their fifth consecutive UCL clean sheet in the process. So, the Moldavian champions will rely once again on their superb defense in this Tuesday match.
They kicked off their domestic league last out, a 1-1 draw on the road against Zimbru Chisinau. However, they rested many of their key players. On the other side, Plzen didn’t have any issues in the two-legged tie with HJK, They crushed the Finnish side, 7-1, on aggregate. Beating Sheriff on the road is easier said than done, though.
The hosts enter this clash on the back of 16 unbeaten games across all of ghe competitions, and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling once again. Plzen was held to a 2-2 draw by FK Teplice in their Czech Liga 1 curtain-raiser last out. Sheriff are a slight favorite here, priced at +175 on the three-way moneyline, according to the latest soccer odds. The goal line is set at two here.
Visitors lost just twice in 33 games across all competitions since the turn of the calendar, and will look to keep this fine run going. This will be a very close game, and we even see it finishing drawn. Sheriff is rock-solid at the back, but the goal line is set too low here. We will once again back the overs.
