Prediction: Club Brugge win
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: bet365
The UEFA Champions League qualifying journey continues this week, as a series of teams attempt to negotiate their way through the third round. They’re just a few steps away now from reaching the group stages which, in itself, is an incredibly exciting prospect. Getting to that point opens the door for a sea of possibilities, which includes potential trips abroad to take on some of the biggest and best clubs that Europe has to offer. Before all of that, though, we’ve got a few more important ties to settle.
Club Brugge
Club Brugge are coming off the back of a campaign in which they missed out on the league title, with Genk pipping them to first place. Now, they are once again considered to be favourites to reclaim the crown, although many fans are more interested (right now) in seeing what they’ve got to offer on a European scale. They’ve never really been able to take that next step forward when it comes to challenging with the top sides around the continent, but they’re certainly consistent.
Team News
The big question mark for the home side is the fitness of Jordi Vanlerberghe, but in other news, David Okereke is being tipped to star for Club Brugge.
Dynamo Kiev
Dynamo Kiev have threatened to become big players on the European stage in the past, but never to the point where they were able to maintain that pressure. Last season we once again saw a two horse race for the title over in Ukraine, and unfortunately for Dynamo, they came up short as Shakhtar Donetsk walked away with the bragging rights. They’ve come back fighting in the early stages of the new campaign, but there’s still a long way to go before they can even think about reclaiming the title.
Team News
Carlos De Pena and Volodymyr are both likely to start for the visitors who don’t appear to have all too many injury concerns to worry about.
Factors to Consider
- The winner of this tie will progress to the playoff round of the Champions League.
- Club Brugge have won both of their league games so far this season.
- Dynamo Kiev have won both of their league games so far this season.
- Club Brugge have scored nine goals and conceded one this season.
- Dynamo Kiev have scored five goals and conceded none this season.
Conclusion
Both clubs have the same kind of stature at this point in time, as they continue to try and vault themselves into a more prominent position within European football. In terms of this first leg tie, though, we think Club Brugge are going to be the ones that come away with the win. We wouldn’t be shocked to see the visitors score to give themselves a real chance of going through on away goals in the second leg, but in the end, the Belgians will still have a lead to protect.
Prediction: Club Brugge win
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: bet365
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