Champions League 2nd Leg Preview and Picks
Tuesday, August 4th Games
By Jason Green at Predictem.com
Here are the Champions League 2nd Leg previews and picks for Tuesday nights action and the scores from the 1st leg as well as the game odds.
FC Twente 0 vs. Sporting Lisbon 0 – This may be the closest game to call, as each side has a legit shot to make to the next round. Twente may hold the slight advantage since they are home and held Sporting goalless in Portugal even after losing a man in the match to a red card. Twente comes into this match with some momentum after they won their opening game in the Dutch season after beating Sparta Rotterdam over the weekend. New addition to Twente Brian Ruiz scored in that match and he has high expectations this season after his 5 million move from Gent. However, Sporting is fresh and has all of their players healthy and ready to go.
FC Twente 2.40 Sporting Lisbon 2.75 Draw 3.10
I see a close game again, as I would not be surprised if this game went to extra time or a shootout, but I give the slight edge to the home team, as I see Twente winning 1-0.
Dinamo Zagreb 1 Red Bull Salzburg 1
This is another close game to call after Dinamo came back from 1-0 to secure a draw and get a precious away goal last week. Dinamo will go into this home game without their main striker Mandzukic, who got a red card in the last match against Red Bull and will not play in this match. Since he is out Dinamo may play a more defensive match and keep Red Bull from scoring. Red Bull has momentum, as they have won their first 2 matches in the Austrian league, but they have to score or they will not be making it to the next round of Champions League qualifying.
Dinamo Zagreb 1.75 Red Bull Salzburg 4.60 Draw 3.40
I see Dinamo scoring an early goal and then falling back on defense the rest of the match, as I see them winning 1-0 in front of their raucous home crowd.
Panathinaikos 1 Sparta Prague 3
Panathinaikos has their work cut out for them, as they have to light up the scoreboard after giving up 3 goals last week to Sparta in Prague. The Greek side missed a golden opportunity after missing a penalty shot and even though they did find the back of the net in the 2nd half Sparta got a late goal in the 2nd half, which may have killed the hopes of Panathinaikos.
Panathinaikos 1.35 Sparta Prague 8 Draw 4.85
I see Sparta playing a defensive game to protect their lead going into the 2nd half, but that will not be easy since their strength is their attack. Still, even though Panathinaikos will attack I don’t see them coming back to advance, but I think they will win this match 2-0 or 2-1.
Sivasspor 0 Anderlecht 5
Sivasspor has to produce a shocker in this match after giving up 5 goals in Belgium last week. Even though the game will be in Turkey it is hard to think that the home team could win 5-0, as offense is not their strength. They will attack from the get go, as they have no choice.
Sivasspor 2.25 Anderlecht 2.95 Draw 2.40
I see the Turkish side making a valiant effort in this match, but for them to fall well shot. The Turks may win, but by a score of only 3-0 or 3-1, which will not be enough.
Maccabi Haifa 0 FC Aktobe 0
Actually, both of these teams are lucky they drew each other, as these are two of the weaker teams in this qualifying round. When you think of the Champions League you think of stellar European football and a team from Israel and Kazakhstan making it to the final stages, or even past the next round, is highly unlikely. Still Maccabi is pretty solid and it is surprising they did not score last week in Kazakhstan.
Maccabi Haifa 1.35 FC Aktobe 8.00 Draw 4.25
I see Maccabi winning this game easily by a score of 3-0 or 4-0.