Champions League, today five more matches are scheduled for the first leg of the first qualifying round: news and predictions.
In the first qualifying round of the Champions League, you will often come across teams from leagues that are in full swing.
Although it is the middle of summer, they play in both Kazakhstan and Georgia. Neither Astana nor Dinamo Tbilisi will therefore have any problems from an athletic point of view, as they will compete for access to the second round. The Kazakhs, perhaps distracted by their continental commitments, have just lost (2-0) the supercup match against Ordabasy, the same team that is giving them a hard time in the championship. The Georgians, on the other hand, have appeared to be on the upswing, with three victories in their last three matches, although their fluctuating results in the Erovnuli Liga have caused them to slip to -8 from the top, momentarily occupied by rivals Dinamo Batumi. It will be a balanced match, which could even end in a draw. In the Veikkausliga, HJK Helsinki, which last year became Finnish champions for the third consecutive time, is also forced to chase. The capital’s club do not shine when it comes to consistency and will have to watch out for the Northern Irish team of Larne: it cannot be ruled out that HJK – in any case favourite to win – could concede at least one goal, also in the light of the fact that they have only recorded one clean sheet in the last five league rounds.
The predictions for the other matches
Reigning Swedish champions Hacken face qualification for the most important continental cup for the first time. The yellow-and-whites should pass the round easily: The Welshmen of The New Saints are an opponent within reach. At least three goals are expected.
Predicted balance instead in the challenge between Sheriff Tiraspol, who made it to the group stage two years ago (with a historic victory over Real Madrid) and the champions of Romania, Farul Constanta. Both are expected to score: qualification is likely to be decided in Transnistria. Slovan Bratislava are also aiming to go all the way: Luxembourg’s Hesperange are certainly not an impossible obstacle to overcome.
Champions League: likely winners
- Astana or draw (in Astana-Dinamo Tbilisi, 16:00)
- Hacken (in Hacken-TNS, 7pm)