Tuesday 18 July predictions: The return matches of the first qualifying round for the next Champions League are on the cards.
The Champions League returns with the return matches of the first qualifying round for the group stage. Fifteen matches spread over two days: those who pass will take one of the passes to the second round, those who are worse off will continue their European adventure in the Conference League.
Rakow, a club that against all odds triumphed in the last Ekstraklasa, Poland’s top league, should advance without any problems. The reigning Polish champions, engaged in Estonia against Flora Tallinn, can count on a small but significant advantage after the narrow victory in the first leg. In contrast, Sheriff Tiraspol, who were beaten 1-0 by Farul Constanta in Romania, will have to make a difficult comeback. Another goleada is in sight in the match between Maccabi Haifa and Hamrun Spartans, the Maltese team coached by Luciano Zauri: in the first leg, the Israelis were victorious 4-0.
Other match predictions
Genoa and Inter Milan, two of the protagonists of the upcoming Serie A, face Austrian WSG Tirol and Swiss Lugano respectively in a friendly match: there should be no shortage of goals. The match between Rangers and Sandro Tonali’s Newcastle is also a potentially prolific one: the Scots have more minutes in their legs and could even avoid defeat against the higher-ranked Magpies.
The Copa Sudamericana return playoffs are played in the night: Universitario, beaten in the first leg by Corinthians, should avoid defeat this time
Winners
- Genoa (in Genoa-WSG Tirol, friendly, 5pm)
- Sheriff Tiraspol or draw (in Sheriff-Farul Constanta, Champions League, 19:00)
Rakow (in Flora Tallinn-Rakow, Champions League, 7pm)
Zrinjski Mostar (in Zrinjski Mostar-Urartu, Champions League, 20:00)
