The big boys enter the Champions League and Europa League qualification process this week, as both Celtic and Liverpool take to the field for their first competitive games of the new season…
Neither Celtic nor Liverpool will want to dwell too much on last season – Celtic were a distant second to Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, while the less said about Liverpool’s endeavours to better the previous year’s second placed Premier League finish, the better. But this is the start of a new season with new managers for the clubs, and they begin this new era by trying to qualify for Europe…
Wednesday
Braga v Celtic
With several big names having to begin their Champions League campaign at the third qualifying round, it could have been worse for Celtic, but Braga will still provide a stern test. This first leg tie will be in Portugal, so the weather will probably be slightly warmer than Glasgow, and Celtic will be happy to come away from there with a draw. But Braga have not lost any of their last 18 games at home, and we can see the Bhoys struggling, so we’re backing a win for Braga at 2.14.
Thursday
Rabotnicki Skopje v Liverpool
Five years after winning the Champions League, Liverpool’s new European campaign begins with a Europa League qualifying tie away to Rabotnicki Skopje. The Macedonians have already come through two rounds of qualifying to get to this stage, having seen off the might of Lusitanos and Mika – but Liverpool are a different proposition altogether. Roy Hodgson has suggested he may be willing to sacrifice the Europa League to get a fourth place finish next season, but even if he fields a severely weakened side, Liverpool should still run out winners at 1.27.
Aalesunds FK v Motherwell
Motherwell also begin their European campaign on Thursday with their trip to Norway to face Aalesunds. The Norwegian side are already 18 games into their domestic season and are currently lying fourth after recording just two wins in their last six games. However, they’ve only lost two games at home all season, and Motherwell will be in for a tough time. Back the home win at 2.2.
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