Champions League Play-Off Tips: Back 2/1 Fenerbahce and 23/10 Celtic to take first-leg leads

Champions League qualifier play-off first leg betting tips include Celtic to beat LASK and Fenerbahce to beat Lyon

Paul Higham has his best bets for this week's Champions League qualifiers, with [2/1] Fenerbahce and [23/10] Celtic backed to take first-leg leads in their play-off ties.


Fenerbahce v Lyon Tip - Turkish delight for 2/13.00 hosts

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Tuesday 18 August, 20:00 kick-off
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Both of these used to be Champions League regulars, but Lyon haven't made the main draw for seven years while Fenerbahce last appeared in the 2008/09 season - so this is a huge tie for both sides in Istanbul, where the hosts are 1/12.00 favourites to win the first leg.

Fenerbahce have invested again this summer bringing in the likes of Nathan Ake, Mason Greenwood, Vedat Muriqi and most recently Romelu Lukaku - although the Belgian's late arrival may mean this game comes too soon for him. They lost their Turkish league opener but won three of four UCL qualifiers so far without conceding, drawing the other 1-1.

Without so many household names, Lyon are 23/103.30 match underdogs having beaten Sparta Prague in the last round, winning 3-0 at home after a 2-1 defeat on the road. Only one of Fenerbahce's last six home European games has seen both teams score and the visitors will look to keep it tighter than they did in Prague


Dinamo v Viking Tip - Goals on the menu in Croatia

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Tuesday 18 August, 20:00 kick-off
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Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb are 7/101.70 to win this first leg as they chase a 10th group stage appearance and they arrive in good form, winning five of six in an unbeaten start to the season. They're experts at qualifying as they've progressed from seven of their past 10 Champions League play-offs and 21 of 24 two-legged ties in the competition.

Dinamo have had three wins to nil on the spin at home but recent home matches in Europe have seen goals - seven of nine have seen both teams score and the last eight have gone over 2.5 goals. Viking have scored in four of five aways but this is a step up in class so they may not continue that trend - with Dinamo going 11-0 on aggregate in those last three homes there should be goals either way.


Levski Sofia v AEK Tip - Bulgarian underdogs to edge ahead

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Tuesday 18 August, 20:00 kick-off
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Levski are hoping to follow their first Bulgarian title since 2009 with a rare group stage appearance for their country. They're 9/52.80 match outsiders here but stand a great chance of catching AEK cold as the Greek champions have only played one competitive game this season - a Super Cup loss on penalties to OFI Crete.

Levski have already played 10 games, going unbeaten so far, while they've lost just once in 10 European home games - eight of those going under 2.5 goals. The draw is tempting at 11/53.20 as the Greeks seem rusty and would happily take that from the away leg, but I've a feeling the in-form Bulgarians can pinch a lead.


Celtic v LASK Tip - Back Bhoys to take the lead

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Wednesday 19 August 20:00 kick-off
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Celtic lost on penalties in the play-off round last year but they're big odds-on shots at 1/21.50 to win the first leg in Glasgow and 9/201.45 to qualify against the Austrians - who've never made the group stages before. The Bhoys have won just one of five UCL home qualifiers but they've started this season winning all three games with a 10-1 aggregate.

Asutrian champions LASK have gone 16-1 in four wins this season and three of their last four UCL qualifiers saw both teams score, so expect them to at least find the net at Celtic Park. That may come late on, as they've scored 10 second-half goals so far this season so they'll keep going until the final whistle.


Nijmegen v Bodo/Glimt Tip - Back goals in the Netherlands

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Wednesday 19 August 20:00 kick-off
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NEC Nijmegen are tantalisingly close to a first ever group stage after a fine win over Olympiacos in the last round, but Bodo/Glimt are one of the toughest draws after their fairytle run to the last 16 last season - including incredible wins over Man City and Atletico Madrid.

The Norwegians needed extra time to see-off Union Saint Gilloise in the last round but they're unbeaten in their eight games this season and are 7/52.40 to win this first leg. NEC have also failed to win the opening leg in six of their last seven European ties so the trends aren't good for the 11/82.38 hosts.

Nine of Nijmegen's last 10 saw both teams score while Bodo's last six featured over 2.5 goals and they've scored 2+ goals in their last seven aways. So all roads point to goals again in the Netherlands.


Slovan v Celje Tip - Back Bratislava on the handicap

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Wednesday 19 August 20:00 kick-off
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Slovan won 6-1 on aggregate when these two met in Champions League qualifying two years ago and they're 4/61.67 to take a first-leg lead against the Slovenian champions, who they beat 5-0 at home in that last meeting.

Celje should bring a threat as they've scored in their last 19 games, with their last eight European matches averaging almost four goals a game. Slovan have bagged at least twice in six of their seven games this season, and have claimed five wins by a two-goal margin or more already. This should be another.


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Recommended bets

Back Fenerbahce to beat Lyon & under 3.5 goals @ 2/13.00

Back Celtic to beat LASK & both teams to score @ 23/103.30

Back Bodo/Glimt win & both teams to score @ 13/53.60

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