European Football Best Bets - August 2

St Johnstone start the new season in the Scottish Premiership after storming to the top of the Championship table in the 2025/26 season. Promotion came on the back of 22 wins, 11 draws and three defeats as they ended their campaign 11 points clear of Partick Thistle in second. Their return to the Premiership is one they will hope they can begin with a win, and they will be full of confidence considering Kilmarnock's disappointing run last season. With both sides potentially part of the relegation battle this season, I am backing the home side to secure a statement win in their opener. 

AIK have been enduring a real hit and miss season, with the side two points short of Hacken in third, while they are 16 short of Sirius at the summit. While the leaders are yet to lose one of their opening 14, AIK have hardly challenged the leaders, winning six matches, drawing four times and losing four times. With 18 goals scored and 18 conceded, AIK have not been able to consistently outscore the opposition. On a more positive note, AIK are unbeaten in their last four, winning three times and drawing once since the return of the competition. Having beaten their opponents to nil in their last three meetings, I am backing AIK to secure the points and a clean sheet. 

Molde need to embark on a run of positive results after taking one of each result across their last three outings. A 2-2 draw with Aalesund was followed by a 2-1 home loss to Brann and a 4-2 win over KFUM Oslo. At home, Molde have won five of their seven matches, although they have failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their last six on their own patch, meaning I am backing them to concede once again.