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Europa League and Olympic Stadium in Athens.

Panathinaikos ended season in 4^th last season, behind PAOK, AEK and Olympiacos they did however win Greek Cup. They have won Greek Super League 20 times but no wins since 2010 which is amazing for a team of their stature. Recent European form is ok with them regularly passing the early rounds but they have gotten out of a group since 2010. Last year they ended 4^th in table behind Rennes. Maccabi Haifa and Villarreal winning just one match. Botev Plovdiv ended season in 7^th in Bulgaria but did win the cup to qualify here. They have already played 3 competitive matches beating Maribor of Slovenia in earlier round 4-3 and a 3-1 away win in opening match of new Bulgaria 1^st division. They too have some European recent matches but always seem to fall at R3.

Team news: Pana have brought in some signings with Ingason, Baldock and Maksimovic arriving. Botev rested players in the opening game of league and still won 3-1 so encouraging signs from them.

Head-to-head statistics: No games.

Betting selection – Botev have three competitive games under their belts and will give Pana a game for sure. Closer than the odds suggest so I take Botev Plovdiv +1.5 at 2.00 or Evens bet365

Europa League and Scotland play host to Belgium at Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock finished last season in 4^th place behind Rangers, Celtic and Hearts. They don’t have much experience in Europe – only 1 tie in the last twenty years and they were beaten by Welsh Premier amateur side so that says it all.  Cercle Brugge finished 4^th in Belgium Pro League. They too have little experience in Europe with just 2 ties in 2011 – they did manage to progress though beating TPS over 2 legs before falling to Anorthosis.

Team news: No injury problems for either team with this being both sides first match of season.

Head-to-head statistics: No games.

Betting selection – Scotland teams outside Rangers and Celtic have struggled big time in Europe. I take this to continue with Cercle Brugge win at 1.91 or 10-11 Betfair

Brazil Serie A action and Santa Catarina State for Criciuma v Fortaleza.

Criciuma are in 17^th after 16 games with 17 points. Overall form is 4 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses. Home form is 2 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses. Recent form is 2 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses. Fortaleza are up in 4^th with 32 points from 17 games. Their form is 9 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses. Away form of 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. Recent form is 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Team news: Allano, Claudinho, Ronald and Figueriedo are all banned. Jonathan and Vizeu are injured for the home side. Kuscevic, Hercules and Lopes are suspended for visitors who have Calebe Martinez and Marinho injured.

Head-to-head statistics: 4 Games 2 win Criciuma and 2 wins Fortaleza.

Betting selection – Both side struck with missing players, long suspension lists and injuries. Criciuma are solid at home and despite Fortaleza being on a good run not so good on the road. I take Draw at 3.25 or 9-4 Betfair here as it seems the best option of the three results.

Slovenia v Slovakia in this 2^nd round qualifier 1^st leg at Stadion Z’dezele.

Cejle won Slovenia PrvaLiga by 12 points last year. Was only their 2^nd title since inception of league in 1991. In UCL history they have only played 4 matches – beating Dundalk and Flora but losing to Molde. Last year they made the playoff round of Conference league but lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Slovan have 30 titles under Czech league or Slovakian league, Winning last six in a row. Furthest they have got in last few yeas was R16 Europa conference in 2023. They beat Struga of Macedonia home and away this year in round 1.

Team news:  Neither side has any injury problems.

Head-to-head statistics: No games.

Betting selection – Slovan are the better of the two sides and have much more experience. Take Slovan Bratislava 0.0/+0.5 at 1.83 or 5-6 Bet365

Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar for UCL round 2 qualifying.

Lincoln won the league for the 28^th time since its inception in 1984, winning 4 on the bounce. UCL form sees 7 wins, 3 draws and 12 defeats. They beat Hamrun (Malta) last round on penalties. Last season they made round 3 of Conference league before losing to Balkani of Kosovo. Qarabag of Azerbaijan have won their title 12 times since its 1^st in 1993. The last three in a row. UCL record is 21 wins, 18 draws and 12 losses. Last season they made in to R16 in Europa League but narrowly losing out to an amazing Leverkusen team 5-4.

Team news:  Home side miss Dan Bent suspended but Kike Gomez is back. Visitors have no injury problems.

Head-to-head statistics: 2 games 2 wins Qarabag.

Betting selection – Tie could be over after 1^st leg and that would suit Qarabag for sure. Lincoln struggled against Maltese opposition and this is a huge step up. Take Qarabag -1.5 at 1.93 Bet365.

UCL qualifying round 2 and a great match up Switzerland v Turkey at Stockhorn Arena.

Lugano came 2^nd in last years Swiss Super League, 6 points behind winners Young Boys. For such a big name they have not played a lot of UCL matches. Indeed just one tie way back in 2023 in which they beat Shakhtar at home but went out on aggregate 4-2. Last year they did make the Conference league stages but ended up 4^th in a group with Besiktas, Bodo and Brugge. Fenerbahce ended season in 2^nd in Turkey despite losing just one match all season and ending on 99 points! In UCL they have a storied history with 32 wins, 21 draws and 54 losses. Last season they made the Conference league QF before losing to eventual winners Olympiacos.

Team news:  Lugano are without Vladi injured and Steffen who is not fit after Euro2024. Fenerbahce have added Allan Saint-Maximin to their squad.

Head-to-head statistics: Zero games.

Betting selection – Lugano will be keen to be in the tie in Turkey so I don’t imagine them being super offensive here. Mourinho has arrived at Fener so they will be strong favourites. Both score yes at 1.72 or 8-11 Bet365.

Lyngby open the season against last years 3^rd place side Copenhagen

Neither side have played yet in league this season. Last season Lyngby ended 8^th of 12 sides. Copenhagen were 22 points ahead of them in 3^rd.

Team news:  Lyngby lost Chukwuani and Gudjohnsen as they transferred out while in came Mathias Hebo Rasmussen. Copenhagen have some injury worries with Clem, Achouri, Bardghji all out while Sahsah and Boilesen are doubts.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games 3 wins GAIS, 2 draws and 15 wins AIK.

Betting selection – Opening game and odds of 1.45 Copenhagen on the road. Too low and Lyngby with a decent start is taken. Back Lyngby +1.25 at 1.75 or 3-4 bet365.

Gamla Ullevi stadium in Gothenborg for GAIS v AIK in Sweden Allsvenskan.

The home side are 7th in the division with 22 points from 14 games this season. Overall form is 7 wins,1 draws and 6 losses. Home form is 5 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. Recent form is 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 loss. AIK have 20 points from 14 games. Overall form is 6 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses. Away form is 1 win, 2 draws and 4 loss. Recent form 2 wins and 6 losses.

Team news: GAIS will miss Binaku, Friday, Cardaklija and Lindberg injured while Boudri and Henriksson are suspended.  They do have Milovanovic and Aberg back from their suspensions though. Visitors are without Ali, Ellingsen and Fesshaie.

Head-to-head statistics: 11 games 2 wins GAIS, 2 draws and 7 wins AIK.

Betting selection – GAIS solid at home while AIK are worst away side in the division. Good start in Allvenskan for GAIS after a long absence. Take GAIS draw no bet at 9-10 or 1.90 Betfair.

Lerkendal Stadium as Rosenborg return to Eliteserien action after beating Man Utd in a high-profile friendly midweek.

The home side are 11th in the division with 17 points from 14 games this season. Overall form is 5 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses. Home form is 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 loss. Recent form is 3 wins, 1 draws and 4 loss. Lillestrom have 19 points from 14 games. Overall form is 6 wins, 1 draws and 7 losses. Away form is 4 wins and 3 loss. Recent form 5 wins and 3 losses.

Team news: Rosenborg have a doubt over Markus Henrikson. Lillestrom miss Knudtzon, Roseth and Solberg.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games 11 wins Rosenborg, 4 draws and 5 wins Lillestrom.

Betting selection – Should be goals here but the line is too high at 3.25. Home side are improving. Lets go Rosenborg to win at 2.10 or 11-10 Unibet.

Norway Eliteserien and a game at Haugesand Stadion.

The home side are 13th in the division with 14 points from 13 games this season. Overall form is 4 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses. Home form is 2 wins and 5 loss.  Recent form is 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 loss. Viking have 28 points from 14 games. Overall form is 8 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses. Away form is 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. Recent form unbeaten in 7 with 6 wins and 1 draw.

Team news: Home side miss striker Diarra suspended while Niyukuri and Samuelson are injured. Viking are without D’Agostino and Tripic and Lokberg is a doubt.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games 5 wins Haugesand, 6 draws and 9 wins Viking

Betting selection – Viking flying now and should have too much for the home side. Take Viking at 2.05 or 21-20 Bet365.