Champions League - Football: Wednesday preview

bet365 News Team Published: Aug 23 2022 17:10

Wednesday sees three more Champions League play-off second legs take place, with spots in the lucrative group stage up for grabs.

Among those hoping to progress are Scottish giants Rangers, who are looking to re-join the European elite following an absence of more than a decade.

Gers set for huge test in Eindhoven

What	PSV vs. Rangers, Champions League play-off second leg
Where	Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
When	20:00, Wednesday 24th August 2022
How to watch	BT Sport 1
Odds	PSV 2/5 (to progress), Rangers 7/4

It has been ten years since Rangers were demoted to the fourth tier of Scottish football, so a fitting way to wave goodbye to that era would be to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Since getting back into the top-flight, the Gers have had to contend with the Europa League and while they have given that competition a good go, they would love nothing more than the opportunity to play at the highest level.

Perhaps in some ways, the pressure is even greater as they will want to dine at the same table as great rivals Celtic, who are in the group stage already by virtue of winning the Scottish Premiership and the UEFA coefficient rankings.

Standing in the Gers' way are PSV Eindhoven, who managed to come away from Ibrox with a 2-2 draw thanks to Armando Obispo's goal after Antonio Colak and Tom Lawrence had given the hosts a 2-1 lead.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side come into the game on the back of a frustrating 2-2 draw away at Hibernian, during which both John Lundstram and Alfredo Morelos both picked up red cards.

Discipline will need to be much better at the Philips Stadion with Ruud van Nistelrooy's side going into the game on the back of two wins to start the season, with nine goals scored.

Bodo on the brink of history

What	Dinamo Zagreb v Bodo/Glimt, Champions League play-off second leg
Where	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
When	20:00, Wednesday 24th August 2022
How to watch	BT Sport 2
Odds	Dinamo Zagreb 6/5 (to progress), Bodo/Glimt 8/13

Last season, Bodo/Glimt played in Europe for the very first time as they participated in the Europa Conference League, and they certainly impressed in their maiden season.

A 6-1 win over Roma at home was a particular highlight with the Arctic Circle-based club proving they could mix it with sides that have years and years on them in terms of experience.

They exited at the quarter-final stage with Roma exacting their revenge, but now they have a chance of getting into the Champions League group stage, as they take a 1-0 advantage to Croatia against Dinamo Zagreb.

Kjetil Knutsen's men play a very fast-paced, attacking brand of football and they are unlikely to compromise on their principles despite how much is at stake.

Dinamo, on the other hand, have plenty of European experience and were in the Champions League group stage as recently as 2019 and they will back themselves to overturn the 1-0 deficit because of that experience on the biggest stage.

Late goal gives Trabzonspor hope

What	Trabzonspor v FC Copenhagen, Champions League play-off second leg
Where	Senol Gunes Sports Complex
When	20:00, Wednesday 24th August 2022
How to watch	BT Sport Extra
Odds	Trabzonspor 6/4 (to progress), FC Copenhagen 1/2

The third Champions League play-off tie sees Trabzonspor face an FC Copenhagen side who lead 2-1 following the first leg.

Goals from Viktor Claesson and Luka Lerager either side of half-time gave the Danes the advantage and a 2-0 lead going into the second leg would look very hard to overrun.

However, with only ten minutes of the first leg contest remaining, Anastasios Bakasetas halved the deficit, meaning the tie is now on a knife edge heading back to Turkey.

Trabzonspor were crowned Turkish Super Lig winners last season for the first time in 38 years and they are certainly looking to build upon that via reaching the last 32 of the Champions League.

Copenhagen, meanwhile, are hoping for their first group stage showing since 2016, having played in both the Europa League and Europa Conference League in the past six seasons.