Champions League Qualifiers 26-27th July

[slick]

Champions League
Tue, 26th of Jul, 2011
17:00 Ekranas v BATE Borisov 4.33 3.40 1.75
17:00 Zestaponi v Sturm Graz 3.20 3.20 2.10
18:00 Apoel Nicosia v Slovan Bratislava 1.80 3.30 4.20
18:00 Litex Lovech v Wisla Krakow 1.91 3.30 3.60
19:00 Dynamo Kiev v Rubin Kazan 1.91 3.30 3.60
19:45 Racing Genk v Partizan Belgrade 1.83 3.30 4.00
19:45 Rangers v Malmo 1.50 3.75 6.50
19:45 Twente Enschede v FC Vaslui 1.44 4.00 6.50

Wed, 27th of Jul, 2011
17:00 HJK Helsinki v Dinamo Zagreb 2.75 3.20 2.37
19:00 Copenhagen v Shamrock Rovers 1.14 7.00 13.00
19:00 Maccabi Haifa v Maribor 1.50 3.75 6.00
19:00 OB Odense v Panathinaikos 2.50 3.20 2.60
19:15 Standard Liege v Zurich 1.80 3.30 4.20
19:45 Benfica v Trabzonspor 1.50 3.75 6.00
19:45 Rosenborg v Viktoria Plzen 2.00 3.30 3.40

Odds 888Sport

[HastGill1]

A few more of the big guns enter at this stage, Dynamo Kiev v Rubin is a stand out match between two of the best sides in Eastern Europe, Rubin are well into their season which may be an advantage against a side that has just started theirs, Kiev have started the season pretty well with new signing Ideye Brown weighing in with four goals in his first two games, Shevchenko is still going and they look to have decent options going forward. Rubin are going alright domestically, sit in fourth but only a few points from the top, they are usually very defensive in Europe and they will certainly be happy to take a 0-0 back home, not sure if this will change given they are playing their near neighbours, I would think they will certainly be looking to keep it tight for as long as possible. 10 of their last 12 in the CL have gone under 2.5 icluding all of the last 9, I can't see that changing, Kiev look the stronger side and have decent pedigree in this competition, I see a narrow victory for them 1-0 or 2-0, under 2.5 goals is best priced 1.7 with VicChandler and looks the call to me.

Benfica have been very active in the transfer market this summer, lost Coentrao to Real Madrid but the Euro30m they picked up has been well invested, Nolito arrived on a free from Barcalona and could be a very good bit of business, tricky little player who will probably line up on the attacking left side, able to cut in and has quick feet and an eye for goal. He turned down Barca's offer of a contract and chose Benfica for the chance of first team football, he could be a star of the team this year..
Capdevilia has also arrived from Villareal, Garay from Real Madrid and Axel Witsel from Anderlecht who starred in their midfield alongside Defour, a busy summer for them as they try and keep pace with Porto. Cardozo hasn't been performing that well for Paraguay so wasn't selected for the Copa America which is a good thing for Benfica as he will be fresh, the side has plenty of flair and attacking threat. They started off last season like an express train and murdered sides at home, they were very impressive, the new additions should only strengthen them, expect a fluid attacking side that create numerous attacking openings. They are a side I very much like the look of.

Trabzonspor finished second last year in the league and have strengthened this summer signing Altintop from relegated Frankfurt and Zakora from Sevilla, they are an ambitious side who will be looking to win the league this season after just missing out last time, while considered a top 4/5 side in Turkey they have profited from the recent downturn in fortunes of the other big sides, they don't have much recent experience in Europe, people might remember they lost to Liverpool last season over two legs in the Europa League, their Chairman was implacated in the match-fixing scandel but they have been allowed to compete in Europe. I think it will take a tactically astute side to knock Benfica out and i don't think Trabzonspor have that quality, I don't think they will be able to play that tight, they had a fair few high scoring away games last season.

Benfica are 1.44 (betfred) at best which isn't great, it's not unthinkable that Trabz could nick an away goal as Benfica often concede daft goals at home, the offensive style they play will often result in counter attacking sides having some luck against them, they usually out score teams though, given the quality of the opposition I would be happy to take the -1,-1.5AH price of 1.80 on Bet365 (VicChandler has 1.82 but I have some issues with them and would prefer to spread my money around ) and I think over 3 goals is overpriced at 2.5 on bet365, 3-1 or 4-1 would not surprise me.

Dynamo Kiev v Rubin

Under 3 Goals - 1.25 - Victor Chandler - 8 points

Under 2.5 Goals - 1.7 - Victor Chandler - 4 Points

Benfica v Trabzonspor

Benfica -1,-1.5AH - 1.80 - Bet365 - 5 points

Over 3 Goals - 2.5 - Bet365 - 5 Points

[mij0sim]

Genk is must take at these odds.Ok, they arent world beaters but can win against Partizan.Host lost great goalkeeper Courtois to Chelsea.He was important part of the team,but attacking portential is big in Genk ( Barda, Ogunjimie,De Bruyne ,Buffel , Jelle Vossen ).Problem is only Buffel has Euro expirience. They did well against Lyon and Standard in super cup,despite playing with 10 men for 65 min.Lost last friendly against Leverkusen but 2nd team played.
Partizan will have problems here.Defense is unstable , two main players left (Krstajic, Savic) . Also RB and LB from last season arent ready for this game , but their replacements are better IMO.Upfront Cleo left,and new Brazilian Edu came.He is not fully fit IMO,just like Ilic,Vukic. Partizan didnt look good against Skendija,let to many chances.
Genk play fast football , their defense isnt great but will be hard for Partizan to hold all these players.Genk win isnt safe, but at these odds is must take.GL

Genk to win @ 1.85

[Betfly]

A hunch more than anything else but I'm taking HT draw Rangers V Malmo @ 2.4 bet365

After unfurling the league flag Rangers were booed off park at HT & FT on sat, this makes me think this game could be a tight affair to begin with. As they say there are no easy games in europe (UNLESS against Scottish Team!)

2pts interest only