FOOTBALL BETTING: The qualifying for the UEFA Champions League is underway; a host of teams must battle their way through numerous rounds before even reaching the group stages.
At this very early stage, it’s fairly impossible to give very informed judgement about UEFA’s top competition. Whilst it’s not likely that one of the early qualifiers will go very far in the competition, they could make up a group member, thereby affecting odds of teams around them. Also, a summer of transfers is just kicking off and teams such as Manchester United will look to bolster their squads.
Predictably, Barcelona lead the market after their acquisition of David Villa, they are 7/2 with Boylesports. Their rivals, Real Madrid, line up as 5/1 2nd fav with Coral whilst English pair Chelsea and Manchester United are 13/2 and 15/2 respectively (both Blue Square).
Inter Milan will defend their title with a chunky 14/1 (Victor Chandler), which reflects the loss of Jose Mourinho. Bayern Munich, losing finalists, are an interesting 18/1 with Bet365. That Bayern squad currently contains a large contingent of the German national team that excited during the World Cup.
Tottenham, who must qualify against potentially tricky opposition, are 66/1 with Coral. Dutch league winners FC Twente are 150/1 at Bodog and Celtic are 300/1 at Stan James.
As for tonight’s games, 2nd round qualifiers (there are 4 rounds of qualifiers, for context), Rosenborg look good to win away at Linfield at 4/11 with Betfred and BATE Borisov (group stages in 08/09) are good to win at home at 1/4 with Paddy Power. Also, Sheriff Tiraspol, who were so close to the Champions League groups last year, are a good bet at 4/11 with Ladbrokes.
Tonight’s fixtures:
Inter Baku v Lech Poznan, R2, L1, 16:00
Birkirkara v MSK Zilina, R2, L1, 17:00
FC Levadia Tallinn v Debrecen, R2, L1, 17:00
Sporta Klubs Liepajas Metalurgs v Sparta Prague, R2, L1, 17:00
SV Red Bull Salzburg v Havnar Boltfelag Torshavn, R2, L1, 17:00
AIK v AS Jeunesse Esch, R2, L1, 18:00
Litex Lovech v Rudar Pljevlja, R2, L1, 18:00
Omonia Nicosia v Renova, R2, L1, 18:00
Hapoel Tel-Aviv v Zeljeznicar Sarajevo, R2, L1, 19:00
Dinamo Zagreb v FC Koper, R2, L1, 19:15
Bohemians v The New Saints, R2, L1, 19:45
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