It’s a big week in the UEFA Champions League, with the first legs of six play-off ties taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The winners will move into the Champions league proper and receive the huge financial rewards that flow from that so these are massive fixtures.
We have also have 10 games in the EFL Championship to look forward to, with Tuesday’s clash between Swansea City and Leeds United being the pick of the bunch. Seventh host second and with Leeds looking the team to beat it will be interesting to see how they fare.
Champions League
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21/08/18 | 20:00 | Red Star Belgrade v Salzburg | Salzburg to Win 1-0 |
| 22/08/18 | 20:00 | Ajax v Dynamo Kiev | Ajax Win & BTTS |
Celtic may have fallen at the previous hurdle, but there are still 12 teams left to battle it out for the last six remaining spots in this season’s Champions League competition. On Tuesday evening, Red Star Belgrade entertain Red Bull Salzburg. The following night, Ajax and Dynamo Kiev lock horns in the Dutch capital.
Red Star Belgrade v Red Bull Salzburg
21st August, 20:00, BT Sport
Vladan Milojevic’s Red Star go up against Marco Rose’s Salzburg at the Red Star Stadium in Belgrade on Tuesday. Red Bull, last season’s UEFA Europa League semi-finalists, will be looking for a positive result to take back to Austria.
On their way to the play-off round, Red Star have beaten the likes of Spartaks Jurmala, Suduva and Spartak Trnava. As for the Austrian champions, they eased past Shkendija in the third round.
After last term’s heroics in the Europa League, Salzburg would love a crack at the Champions League this season. This first leg will no doubt be close, but we fancy the away side to nick a 1-0 victory (13/2 at BetVictor) on Tuesday.
Red Bull Salzburg to Win 1-0 – 13/2 at BetVictor
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
22nd August, 20:00, BT Sport
On Wednesday night in Champions League qualifying, Erik ten Hag’s Ajax welcome Alyaksandr Khatskevich’s Dynamo Kiev to the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
Ajax, who have won the European Cup on four occasions, will be hoping to take a handy lead to Ukraine. Having missed out on European football altogether last season, can Ajax make it through to the Champions League group stage this time around?
Kiev will not be an easy nut to crack, but home advantage should get Ajax over the line in this first leg. The hosts to win and both teams to score is available at 11/4 (Betfair).
Ajax Win & BTTS – 11/4 at Betfair
Championship
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21/08/18 | 19:45 | Derby v Ipswich | Derby to Win -1 |
| 21/08/18 | 19:45 | Swansea v Leeds | Leeds Win |
| 22/08/18 | 19:45 | Aston Villa v Brentford | 1-1 Draw |
| 22/08/18 | 20:00 | Stoke v Wigan | Stoke Win |
Having played four games already, Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough are the early leaders of the Championship. However, with Boro not in action in midweek, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds have the chance to go top, with a draw or a win enough for the West Yorkshire outfit. There are a number of mouth-watering Championship matches to get stuck into this week, but the Swansea v Leeds game is undoubtedly the one topping the bill.
Derby County v Ipswich Town
21st August, 19:45, Sky Sports
Frank Lampard has made an indifferent start to his managerial career, but can his Derby County side pick up a vital three points when they host Ipswich Town at Pride Park on Tuesday?
Despite kicking off their campaign with an excellent 2-1 win at Reading, County have lost their last two and are yet to really impress. Ipswich, meanwhile, have picked up two points from a possible nine under new boss Paul Hurst, as they too have struggled for form.
Being the hosts, Derby should have too much quality for the Tractor Boys to handle on Tuesday. Therefore, have a punt on Lampard’s men to win -1 at 23/10 at Betfair. We think Lampard has what it takes but he will need time to get his ideas over and we expect the Rams to improve as the campaign progresses.
Derby County to Win -1 – 23/10 at Betfair
Swansea City v Leeds United
21st August, 19:45, Sky Sports
Graham Potter’s Swansea host Bielsa’s Leeds in what promises to be a cracking Championship fixture at the Liberty Stadium in South Wales on Tuesday. Both sides will fancy their chances of promotion this term so even early on the season, this has the feel of a six-pointer.
Potter has made a fine start to his Swansea career, guiding the Swans to seven points from three Championship games. As for Leeds, they have a 100% winning record in the league and cup under Bielsa and four wins in a row will have really boosted their confidence.
This will no doubt be a thrilling match in Wales, but we fancy Leeds, who are now favourites to win the Championship title, to keep up their fine winning record. The away victory is priced at 11/8 with Coral.
Leeds United to Win – 11/8 at Coral
Aston Villa v Brentford
22nd August, 19:45, Sky Sports
Despite plenty of off-field turmoil surrounding the club in pre-season, Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa have made a fine start to their campaign. On Wednesday night, Dean Smith’s Brentford are the visitors to Villa Park.
Both Villa and Brentford have kicked off their season with two wins and a draw. Villa have seen off Hull City and Wigan Athletic, while the Bees have beaten Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday and so both find themselves well placed in the second tier table.
On paper, these two sides look pretty evenly matched, and we fancy this to end all square in the Midlands. Back the 1-1 draw at 6/1 with BetVictor, a result that would keep both teams ticking over nicely enough.
1-1 Draw – 6/1 at BetVictor
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic
22nd August, 20:00, Sky Sports
Gary Rowett’s Stoke City entertain Paul Cook’s Wigan at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday evening. Despite failing to win any of their three Championship matches so far, the Potters are favourites in this one and remain well fancied for automatic promotion.
It’s been a tough start for Rowett’s Stoke, who have lost at Leeds and drawn with Brentford and Preston North End. Meanwhile, Wigan, last season’s runaway EFL League One winners, have accumulated four points from three games.
This could be another tight match, but we’re backing Stoke to get off the mark on Wednesday. The City victory is priced at 23/20 with bet365 and on home soil that’s decent value.
Stoke City Win – 23/20 at bet365