First we head to the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, where APOEL Nicosia face Qarabag. We saw Qarabag take their last qualifying round in high colors when they beat Dundalk 3-0 at home, but now they face an APOEL team that has played in previous editions of the Champions League and is looking to get back at it this year.
Qarabag have been a tale of two cities; they are a great team at home, but have been struggling on the road in recent matches. Such analysis, can be made taking their last away games in the qualifying rounds, where they are yet to achieve a win. It is of note that they are yet to lose as well, so it won’t be an easy match for APOEL.
APOEL did not allow a single goal against Sutjeska and will look to replicate their defensive showing against a Qarabag side that will be hungry for Champions League football.
Pick: APOEL (Draw No Bet) @ 1.40
On another leg, Ajax plays PAOK in Greece. Both teams have had Friendlies against teams from their rivals’ country, in an effort to better understand the other country’s footballing world. If the friendlies are any indication, we are looking at a tough match for both teams, as Ajax scored six against OFI in a 6-2 win, but only managed one against Panathinaikos.
PAOK on the other hand, was able to maneuver a 3-1 result against Anderlecht and will look to use the same techniques in order to better their chances against the great Ajax.
Ajax have scored two or more goals in three of their last five matches at home, and they will look to build on that in order to succeed this afternoon. PAOK has also scored two or more goals in the last five away matches they have had, and will be looking to score in order to take some great away goal leverage.
Pick: Ajax over 1.5 goals @ 2.10
Pick 2: Both teams to score (PAOK and Ajax) @ 1.90
In Croatia, we will have Dinamo Zagreb play against Ferencvaros, in what looks to be an exciting matchup altogether. Zagreb have been unstoppable, accumulating a large number of wins both home and away.
When we look at Ferencvaros’ numbers away from home recently, we also find a positive trend, with no losses, and only one draw, their most recent one. Both sides have had great defensive displays, Dinamo allowing just three goals in their last five matches at home, and providing three clean sheets. Ferencvaros, has allowed 4 goals and provided two clean sheets.
Pick: Dinamo Zagreb over 1.5 goals @ 1.57
