It has been a long summer without too much football action to speak of, but in midweek the beautiful game returns to our screens with the Champions League qualifiers. Punters have spent the last few weeks searching out value in the Women’s World Cup and Copa America, while others have been left to pick through the bones of the tennis and cricket betting as they aimed to fill the void. Here are our 9 & 10 July Champions League betting tips.
This isn’t the biggest or best matches of the season, but the midweek schedule is a welcome addition to the schedule as it tells us the new campaign is fast-approaching. We’ll be enjoying Premier League, Scottish Premiership, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 matches again in no time and you’ll get full match previews, betting tips and predictions for free on this site.
Our aim is to lead followers to profit over the course of the campaign and we have high hopes for the months ahead as we prepare to take on the bookies.
Sarajevo v Celtic
It’s the qualifying first round of the Champions League this week and there’s a British interest as teams begin their long journey towards the group stages. Many of these fixtures may fly under the radar with fans still enjoying the summer break. For the sides involved this is important stuff. Results here will make all the difference between making the money-spinning tournament proper or spending the new campaign without European football. Sarajevo enjoy home advantage and will be eager to make it count but they have limited experience in the Champions League and that should show when this match gets underway.
Their best hope is to keep things tight and frustrate their opponents before going to Parkhead for the return and chancing their luck. They aren’t expected to get anything out of the tie, that’s for sure, but this is the best time to play Celtic. The Bhoys are lacking match fitness and will only get better between now and the start of the Scottish Premiership season. The locals were thrashed in the Europa League last season and that’s why you’ll find them available at 9/2 with Bet365 to win the match or 31/10 to hold on for a draw. We don’t fancy either.
Bhoys Must Hit the Ground Running
This match will be an extension of Celtic’s pre-season but it’s a game they really can’t afford to take lightly as if they slip up and fail to get through to the next round it would cause widespread embarrassment and their season would be over in July. The players know what is expected of them and they also know they are favourites but they are experienced enough to understand there are no easy games in football these days, especially in this competition, and if the visitors believe they only have to turn up, they will be severely punished. This game demands their complete attention if they are to avoid a banana skin.
Neil Lennon hasn’t been as busy in the transfer window as fans would’ve liked but he has made moves to stamp his identity back on the squad and get them back playing the way he wants following Brendan Rodgers departure. Winning the Champions League is never going to be an option for the Glasgow club, but their operating costs means they need to make the group stages and play, at least six games. There’s no guarantee they will get there, but they will pass this test without too much drama and we’re expecting an away win. Celtic can be backed at 4/7 – market best price with Bet365 – and that’s better than we expected to find. Add it to your accumulators.
Ramp up Your Interest
There are many ways to bet on this game that will help ramp up the interest of casual followers. You can follow our advice and back Celtic to win or take a bit more of a game and collect the better price on the draw or an upset home cheer. There are also many specials available, such as both teams to score, half time/full time, correct score, Asian handicap, first, last, anytime goal scorers and plenty more besides.
Celtic will want to score a couple of goals to give themselves a cushion while keeping things tight at the back, ensuring they can take their foot off the gas when back in Glasgow next week and use the depth of their squad. To achieve that they’ll be looking at a win to nil, while their opponents know their best chance of springing a surprise and making things uncomfortable for The Hoops will be in scoring at least once and packing the defence. Easier said than done but while Celtic’s fitness levels are low, it’s not impossible.
The away win to nil can be backed for a better price with Bet365 offering a market best of 8/5. That will do a job as a single of if you’re happy to take a bit more of a risk that’s the punt we believe you should take. Looking at the both teams to score market and there’s 4/5 on no and 11/10 (Bet365) on yes. Again, the latter is top price and it’s looking like Bet365 are the most generous firm when it comes to betting on this game.
Busy Midweek
We have a busy midweek ahead with Champions League and Europa League ties scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There’s not a lot of value around and the Celtic away win was the best we found, but there is an interest there for accumulator backers.
Concentrating on the Champions League, BATE are 3/4 to beat Gilwice with home advantage, Sheriff are 6/11 to better Tbilisi and Rosenborg look a great bet to win on the road when visiting Linfield. Add each to your midweek accumulators and mark the return of club football with a nice priced winner. Hopefully it will be the first of many following our site this season.
Our Tip: Celtic win at 4/7 with Bet365