The Champions League qualifying rounds continue on Wednesday night with few teams already having played the first leg. The excitement continues as we have prepared another set of interesting matchups and this time we have analyzed 5 games, including the clash between Linfield and Celtic that is on schedule for Friday July 14th.
In our first game preview of this 5-game set we will take a closer look at the Finish team Mariehamn who will entertain the Polish club Legia, while Zalgiris will play host to Ludogorets. On the other hand, Dundalk will be visited by Norwegian Club Rosenborg, with Hafnarfjordur playing hosts to Vikingur from Faroe Islands.
MARIEHAMN (FIN) vs. LEGIA (POL)
Three-Way: 1: Mariehamn +750; X: +370 Draw; 2: Legia -204
Spread +1: Mariehamn +114; Legia -120
Total +2.5: Over +108; Under -112
MARIEHAMN (FIN)
Currently sitting 8 points clear at the top of the league table, Mariehamn finished last league campaign as the champions, by three points. Even though they had a tame attack, with just 40 goals, they made up for it with the best defense in the league, which conceded only 25 goals.
They are on a three match unbeaten run, even though their last two matches were draws in the league. Mariehamn has not made any significant roster moves during the off-season, so it will be interesting to see what this team can do in the Champions League matchup against the much stronger Polish side.
LEGIA (POL)
Legia had to fight for the title till the very end of the league campaign. In the end, they won the league by two points. Legia had the best attack in the league with 70 goals scored in 37 games, while conceding 31 goals.
In the market, they earned 2.5 mil. Euros with the sale of Odjidja Ofoe to Olympiacos, which they used to buy midfielders Maczynski and Lukasz Moneta, along with Portuguese right back Hildberto, so they are coming into this Champions League clash much reinforced.
Their last result was a penalty shootout defeat in the Polish Super cup, before which they won two friendlies.
MARIEHAMN (FIN) vs. LEGIA (POL) – Match Prediction:
Although Legia lost their last match, they still put up a decent performance, and before it, they were getting good results. So even though Mariehamn is playing at home, I feel this match will end in an away victory. To spice things up a bit, I am picking the visitors to win on the AH +1.
MY PICK: Legia AH +1 (-120)
ZALGIRIS (LTU) vs.LUDOGORETS (BUL)
Three-way: 1: Zalgiris +692; X: +330; 2: Ludogorets -182
Spread +1: Zalgiris +100; Ludogorets -101
Total +2.5: Over +106; Under -110
ZALGIRIS (LTU)
The Lithuanian club sits comfortably on top of the league table with a ten points lead, continuing where they left off when they won the league last year. They boasted of the best attack in the league, scoring 74 goals in 33 matches, while conceding 29 goals.
They have reinforced their squad this season, with three new signings. Defender Diego Oyarzún, keeper Dziugas Bartkus, and winger Liviu Antal, have all joined the club on free transfers.
Their last match was a club friendly on June 27th at home, which they won 3:1, so they will enter their first Champions League match on a high note.
LUDOGORETS (BUL)
The Bulgarian club finished their dominant campaign by clinching the league title, which they won having a massive 16 point lead over the second placed team. They scored a whooping 69 goals in 26 matches, while conceding 19.
They have made a slow start to the transfer window, as their only signing so far has been experienced Argentine keeper Jorge Broun, signed on a free transfer.
Their last five matches have been club friendlies, which resulted in a defeat and 4 wins, including a massive 15-0 win on 17th June against Evrokolezh. Will they be able to carry on the positive streak to the Champions League campaign?
ZALGIRIS (LTU) vs. LUDOGORETS (BUL)-Match Prediction:
Even though Ludogorets is the away team in this match, they are better suited to take home the three points. They have had more practice on field, compared to their opponents, and are having better players in general. As I am expecting the away team to pull off the victory, I am tipping on the over which is offered at +106 for +2.5 goals.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (+106)
DUNDALK (IRL) vs. ROSENBORG (NOR)
Three-way: 1: Dundalk +350; X: +252 Draw; 2: Rosenberg -104
Spread +0.5: Dundalk -104; Rosenberg -104
Total +2.5: Over +124; Under -128
DUNDALK (IRL)
Currently occupying second position in the Irish top flight, Dundalk finished the last season as champions, claiming the title with a comfortable 7 points suficit over their closest followers. En route to the title, they smashed home a massive 73 goals, while conceding 28 goals.
They have made only one signing in the transfer window prior to the Champions League campaign start, while recalling three loanees after their loans expired. Dylan Connolly has joined from Bray for an undisclosed fee.
They have been on an impressive five match winning streak in the league, scoring 16 goals, and conceding none during this period.
ROSENBORG (NOR)
Rosenborg finished their last league campaign as league winners, with a massive 15 points lead on the final day. They scored 65 goals and conceded 25 on their way to the title. This season, they continued where they left off, as they are sitting at the top in the league currently.
In the transfer market, they have signed young Swedish attacking midfielder Jonathan Levi, hoping to add some creativity in the middle of the park.
Their last match was a league win against Sandefjord in the Norwegian top flight by 5:1 on last Saturday.
DUNDALK (IRL) vs. ROSENBORG (NOR) – Match Prediction:
If we look at the form, one would say that Dundalk has been in a better form. However, the recent massive win in the league will give Rosenborg a morale boost, and hence motivation to grab all the three points. This will be an interesting match to follow as both teams are capable of scoring. Although the visitors have a slight advantage and are favored by the public money, I will take the both teams to score pick.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (+100)
HAFNARFJORDUR (ICE) vs. VIKINGUR (FAI)
Three-way:1: Hafnarfjordur -476; X: +700 Draw; 2: Vikingur +1800
Spread -2: Hafnarfjordur +100; Vikingur -102
Total +3: Over -128; Under +117
HAFNARFJORDUR (ICE)
The Icelandic club has been languishing in fifth position in the league currently, unlike the season before, where they convincingly won the league. They scored just 32 goals last season in the league, but they had a good defense, which conceded just 17 goals, and helped them to the title.
They had been in good form of late, until their last match, where they were defeated 0:2 in the league. Before that, they won three matches straight conceding just 1 goal. They also haven’t made any signings in the transfer market yet, as their only additions have been youngsters who have returned from loans.
VIKUNGUR (FAI)
The Faroe Islands based club has continued their position at the top of the league from last season. They won the title last time out, although in a very tense competition. They scored 59 goals and let in just 25 on their way to lifting the trophy.
Vikingur played well in the first round of the qualifiers, as they qualified with a 6-2 aggregate win.
HAFNARFJORDUR (ICE) vs. VIKINGUR (FAI) – Match Prediction
Even though Vikingur has been in a decent run of form, the Icelandic club should have enough firepower in their tanks to prevent the visitors from taking points. Therefore, I expect a tough battle on both sides, with the possibility of a low scoring game. I am also expecting the nets to be untouched, at least on one side.
MY PICK: Both teams to score NO (-137)
Additional Pick: Under 3 goals (+117)
LINFIELD (NIR) vs. CELTIC (SCO)
Three-way: 1: Linfield +3300; X: +1092; 2: Celtic – 833
Spread +2.5: Linfield +102; Celtic +104
Total +3.5: Over +114; Under -128
LINFIELD (NIR)
Linfield finished second last year in the regular campaign, and then clinching the title in a rampaging playoff run, where they defeated everyone to get to champions league qualifiers. They were the best team in the league in both parts of the pitch. They scored 73 goals, while conceding just 22.
They gave a solid performance in the first round of the qualifiers, where they won 1:0 on aggregate against La Fiorita.
So far, the only signing the club has made till now has been former Swindon Town player Jordan Stewart, who was signed on a free transfer.
CELTIC (SCO)
Celtic was absolutely unstoppable in the domestic league, as they broke the 100 points mark to win the league unchallenged. They scored a humongous 106 goals, while conceding just 25 goals. Most impressive was that they were undefeated throughout the campaign.
Their transfer activities this window has been the signing of Ipswich youngster Kundai Benyu and Johny Hayes from Aberdeen.
Of the four friendly matches they played in the preseason, they lost none, and won the last one with a massive 9:0 scoreline.
LINFIELD (NIR) vs. CELTIC (SCO) – Match Prediction:
On paper, this Champions League matchup looks like a clear victory for Celtic. However, Brendan Rodgers will make sure his team doesn’t take it lightly and hence, will expect a professional performance. So, my bet will be the Under 3.5 goals.
MY PICK: Under +3.5 goals (-128)
