Football

Champions League Qualifying Best Bets - Play-Offs

By Ben Darvill

3 hours ago

Ben Darvill 3 hours ago

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Best bets for the first-legs of the Champions League Play-Offs
Featured games include Celtic vs LASK and Fenerbahce vs Lyon
Preview, stats & head to head

Talisca of Fenerbahce (Getty Images)

Fenerbahce vs Lyon
Celtic vs LASK

Fenerbahce vs Lyon

Fenerbahce return to Champions League qualifying for their fifth game before the competition has even truly started. Each outing has been characterised by tight wins, with Fenerbahce's 2-0 triumph over Sturm Graz in the first-leg of the last round their biggest margin of victory. Their last four outings in qualifying have ended in three wins and a draw, while Anderson Talisca has scored in all four outings. His ability to find the back of the net has been driving Fenerbahce forward, and I back him to score for the fifth consecutive time in qualifying.

Lyon bounced back well from their 2-1 loss to Sparta Prague in the first-leg of their last qualifying tie as they hammered their opponents 3-0 in the second-leg. This win brought to an end a two-game losing run that featured a 4-0 friendly loss to Real Betis prior to their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sparta Prague. Importantly, Lyon lost their away game in the competition before storming to the win in the home game, with the French side not at their best on the road.

Celtic vs LASK

Celtic are yet to lose a competitive game this season, with the Scottish side winning both of their league outings before hammering Dundee United 4-0 in the cup at the weekend. Prior to this, they had edged past Dundee FC 1-0 before hammering Kilmarnock 5-1. Their last two matches have resulted in 10 goals, with Celtic scoring nine of these. While there will be some nerves with the Champions League so close, I predict that Celtic will go some way to progressing from the play-offs with a win as over 2.5 goals are scored.

LASK have been excellent of late, storming to five consecutive wins heading into their clash with Celtic. These five victories have resulted in LASK boasting an aggregate score of 18-1. Clearly, LASK have been very good going forward, but they will not likely find an opponent that will provide them with the time and space they have enjoyed of late. With their impressive goal scoring in mind, I predict that this game will see goals, although I do not back them to defeat an opponent that will likely prove too good for them.

Verdict

Champions League Play-Off First-Legs

I am backing Anderson Talisca to continue his impressive scoring form as Celtic beat LASK in a game that see goals.

Anderson Talisca

Fenerbahce vs Lyon Anytime Scorer

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Celtic & Over 2.5

Celtic vs LASK Match Winner & Total Goals

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