It may have only been last month that we witnessed the 2019-20 Champions League final, with Bayern Munich beating Paris Saint-Germain to win their sixth title – but this season’s competition is already underway, with the final teams being decided this month. The draw for the Group Stages will take place on October 1st and it won’t be long before bookmakers, like Betdaq, reveal their tournament markets and favourites. With the play-off round over two legs, with the second taking place on September 29-30th, here are our tips to progress to the Group Stages.
Dynamo Kyiv
For the second season running, Kyiv face Belgian opponents in the qualifying stages of the Champions League. After narrowly losing out to Club Brugge last campaign and transferring to the Europa League, the Ukrainian Premier League runners-up have to be favourites against Gent, who finished second in their respective division last season too. Both teams began their European journey in the third round of qualifying, with Kyiv beating AZ Alkmaar 2-0, while Gent overcame Rapid Vienna 2-1. The Belgian side have had a poor start to their domestic campaign, while Kyiv are unbeaten and will surely have enough over the two legs to qualify.
Last Season
Kyiv – 3rd in Group B (Europa League)
Gent – Round of 32 (Europa League)
UEFA Coefficients
Kyiv – 26th
Gent – 40th
Red Bull Salzburg
The Austrian Bundesliga champions have to be heavy favourites ahead of their two-legged clash against Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Despite dropping out of last season’s Champions League at the group stages, Salzburg have a lot more experience playing in European competition. There’s a wide berth between the two in UEFA’s rankings and ultimately, we think that Salzburg have the necessary quality to overcome their opponents in their upcoming play-off. Since this season has got underway, the Austrian side have been in fine form, with a 100%-win record in the league, and a triumphant 10-0 first round victory in the Austrian Cup. The side seem to be raining goals and this will surely continue as they bid for European football once more.
Last Season
RB Salzburg – Round of 32 (Europa League)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv – Third Qualifying Round (Europa League)
UEFA Coefficients
FC Salzburg – 29th
Maccabi Tel-Aviv – 93rd
Olympiacos
More often than not, Olympiacos ply their trade in either the Champions League or Europa League and last season, they equalled their best finish in the latter. Their place in this year’s Champions League shouldn’t be in any doubt. Their opponents in the play-off are Omonia, the lowest ranked side. The Cypriot club haven’t played in European competition since the 2016-17 campaign. While under the guidance of Henning Berg, Omonia were so close to securing their first domestic title for 10 years – the league was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic and the title not awarded – they ultimately secured their place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. Despite already overcoming Ararat-Armenia, Legia Warsaw and Red Star Belgrade, Olympiacos should be too strong for them in the upcoming ties.
Last Season
Olympiacos – Round of 16 (Europa League)
Omonia – Did not play in Europe
UEFA Coefficients
Olympiacos – 35th
Omonia – 205th
Other picks
- Slavia Prague to beat Midtjylland
- Krasnodar to beat PAOK
- Molde to beat Ferencváros
