Neftchi Baku vs. Olympiacos (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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After a narrow first-leg win, Olympiacos travel east seeking a place in the third round of the Champions League qualifiers, when they meet Neftchi Baku on Wednesday.
With a tie against either Mura or Ludogorets up for grabs in the next round, both sides will fancy their chances of taking one step closer to the group stages.
We say: Neftchi Baku 1-1 Olympiacos
Having shown their mettle during the opening 90 minutes of this tie, the home side have certainly not squandered their hard-earned momentum, and can catch Olympiacos out at least once.
Neftchi, though, are lacking tried and tested performers at this level, so one of the visitors' many forward options can salvage a draw and - by the narrowest of margins - help them progress on aggregate.
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Sheriff Tiraspol vs. Alashkert (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
Sheriff Tiraspol attempt to book a place in the next round of Champions League qualification on Wednesday, as they reconvene with Armenia's Alashkert FC at the Glavnaya Arena.
After a 1-0 first-leg win, the Moldovan champions are in pole position to set up a third round tie with either Red Star Belgrade or Kairat Almaty next month.
We say: Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 Alashkert FC
Yet to concede in four matches this month, Sheriff are rock-solid at the back and can make that count in their favour on Wednesday night.
As they already hold a lead, the Moldovan champions are set to hit Alashkert on the break, as the away side go searching for an all-important equalising goal.
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CFR Cluj vs. Lincoln (Wednesday, 6.30pm)
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Favourites to progress following last week's first-leg win, CFR Cluj welcome outsiders Lincoln Red Imps to Transylvania on Wednesday.
With the winner of their Champions League second qualifying round tie set to meet either Slovan Bratislava or Swiss champions Young Boys next, the home side are within range of a place in the prestigious group stages.
We say: CFR Cluj 3-0 Lincoln Red Imps
After grinding out a come-from-behind win on the Victoria Stadium's tricky artificial surface, this week Cluj can prove the difference in class between these two clubs by comfortably cruising through to the next stage.
Even if their first XI is unable to break down Lincoln's resistance, any one of a number of talented players on the bench can make a decisive impact in the second half for the Transylvanian side.
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Midtjylland vs. Celtic (Wednesday, 6.45pm)
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Following an eventful first leg encounter last week, Celtic continue their quest for Champions League qualification with a trip to FC Midtjylland on Wednesday.
As the Hoops were held at home by the Danish side and have failed to win any of their three most recent friendlies, the pressure is already starting to mount following a woeful 2020-21 campaign.
We say: FC Midtjylland 2-1 Celtic
Midtjylland may not have the advantage of an away goal, given that rule's recent disposal, but are a more settled side than Celtic and that greater cohesion is likely to prosper in front of their fans on Wednesday.
It could take a while for Ange Postecoglou to re-shape the Bhoys in his own image, but time is short in the unforgiving realms of continental combat and their hoped-for comeback season could get off to a slow start.
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Galatasaray vs. PSV (Wednesday, 7.00pm)
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With one foot already in the next round, PSV Eindhoven will be looking to finish the job on Wednesday evening when they travel to Galatasaray for the second leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie.
Having cruised to a 5-1 victory in the first leg at the Philips Stadion last week, the Dutch side are now just 90 minutes away from meeting either Celtic or FC Midtjylland in August's third round qualifier.
We say: Galatasaray 2-2 PSV Eindhoven (3-7 on aggregate)
Goals are to be expected once again on Wednesday night, though they could be shared out more evenly this time around.
Galatasaray have a very steep mountain to climb if they are to pull off a remarkable comeback, and although we fancy them to find the net in the second leg, PSV Eindhoven should do enough to win comfortably on aggregate.
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Ludogorets vs. NS Mura (Wednesday, 7.00pm)
Slovenian minnows NS Mura will be hoping to cause an upset and progress from the second qualifying round of the Champions League when they travel to Ludogorets Razgrad for their second-leg tie on Wednesday night.
The Bulgarian champions will be the favourites to advance to the third qualifying round, where a clash against either Olympiacos or Neftchi Baku awaits next month.
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-0 NS Mura (1-0 on aggregate)
Despite playing out a goalless draw in the first leg, both sides did look threatening in the final third and will want to cause more problems on Wednesday.
Ludogorets, who are strong favourites for this clash, have won four of their last five home matches without conceding a goal, and we feel that another win without reply could be on the cards at the Huvepharma Arena.
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Young Boys vs. Slovan Bratislava (Wednesday, 7.15pm)
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After playing out a goalless draw in the first leg, Young Boys will host Slovan Bratislava in the second leg of Wednesday's Champions League second qualifying round tie.
The Swiss outfit are looking to progress to the group stages of Europe's elite club competition for just the second time in their history, while the Slovakian visitors have never advanced from this stage of qualifying.
We say: Young Boys 2-1 Slovan Bratislava (2-1 on aggregate)
After a cagey and goalless first-leg encounter, we are expecting a more open game on Friday, with both teams hoping to rediscover their form in front of goal.
Even though the injuries to Lustenberger and Nsame are big blows for Young Boys, we feel that they have enough strength in depth to cope and secure a narrow victory in Bern.
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Sparta Prague vs. Rapid Vienna (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
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Seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie, Sparta Prague play host to Rapid Vienna at the Stadion Letna on Wednesday night.
A double from Christoph Knasmullner propelled the Austrian side to victory on home soil last week, but Ladislav Krejci II's opener for Sparta has kept the tie well and truly alive.
We say: Sparta Prague 1-1 Rapid Vienna
Sparta's enthralling league victory was the perfect tonic after their first-leg defeat, whereas Rapid Vienna's confidence has been rocked a tad after their domestic season kicked off in poor fashion.
However, the Austrian side should still dig deep enough to claim a draw and book their spot in the next round, but Monaco will certainly provide a step up in class.
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Red Star vs. Kairat (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
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Seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie, Red Star Belgrade will host Kairat at the Rajko Mitic Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Serbs have reached the group stage of Europe's elite club competition in two of the last three seasons, while their Kazakhstani opponents are hoping to advance to the third round of qualifying for the first time.
We say: Red Star Belgrade 3-1 Kairat (4-3 on aggregate)
Red Star Belgrade will be keen to make amends for last week's surprise defeat and a win is required if they are to reach the next round.
Even though Kairat have a one-goal advantage, we feel that the hosts will come out fighting in the second leg and turn the tie around to win narrowly on aggregate.
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Barney Corkhill
