AEK Athens vs. Antwerp (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Needing to overturn a one-goal deficit to prolong their Champions League adventure, AEK Athens welcome Royal Antwerp to the Agia Sophia Stadium for the second leg of their qualifying playoff tie on Wednesday.
The Belgian visitors ran out 1-0 winners in front of their own supporters last week, despite seeing out the final 40 minutes of that encounter with 10 men.
We say: AEK Athens 1-1 Royal Antwerp (Antwerp win 2-1 on aggregate)
Converting chances into goals has not been AEK Athens' forte over the past week, and the injury to Garcia will do the wasteful hosts no favours on the offensive front either.
While Almeyda's men are unlikely to be kept at bay throughout the entire 90 minutes, especially given Antwerp's mediocre results on the road, the Belgian champions can capitalise on any weekend fatigue from the Double-Headed Eagle to seal a first-ever group-stage berth.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
PSV vs. Rangers (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
As was the case 12 months ago, PSV Eindhoven and Rangers' Champions League qualifying playoff tie is on a knife-edge heading into Wednesday's second leg at Philips Stadion.
For the second year running, the two clubs played out a topsy-turvy 2-2 draw at Ibrox in their opening encounter, where Peter Bosz's side came from behind twice to rescue a slice of the spoils.
We say: PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Rangers (PSV win 4-3 on aggregate)
PSV may have wasted a glut of golden opportunities at Ibrox, but Bosz's men always seem to notch multiple goals no matter the occasion, and attack should be the best form of defence for the Eredivisie giants this week given their fresh fitness woes at the back.
A makeshift PSV backline should not keep Rangers' own bright offensive talents at bay, but with the hosts also benefitting from an extended recuperation period and proving unbeatable in front of the home crowd so far in 2023, vengeance should be theirs as Beale's men accept demotion to Europa League football.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Copenhagen vs. Rakow (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Danish side Copenhagen carry a 1-0 lead into the home leg of their Champions League playoff against Polish outfit Rakow Czestochowa on Wednesday.
Copenhagen are aiming for back-to-back seasons in the Champions League, while Rakow are hoping to make their debut in Europe's premier club competition.
We say: Copenhagen 3-1 Rakow Czestochowa (Copenhagen to win 4-1 on aggregate)
Rakow Czestochowa will need to throw everything at Copenhagen in the second leg, but the visitors will likely leave themselves exposed at the back as they go for broke.
With that in mind, we can see Copenhagen completing the job in front of an expectant Parken crowd, ending Rakow's fairytale run in the process.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
