Valmiera vs. Ljubljana (Wednesday, 4.00pm)
© Reuters
Latvian outfit Valmiera will look to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit when they play host to Slovenian side NK Olimpija Ljubljana in the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifier on Wednesday afternoon.
The winners of this contest on aggregate will take on either Ballkani of Kosovo or Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria in the second qualifying round.
We say: Valmiera 1-1 NK Olimpija Ljubljana (NK Olimpija Ljubljana to win 3-2 on aggregate)
Valmiera have plenty of competitive matches under their belt this year and their recent home record bodes well in their quest to turn the first-round tie around.
However, a fresh and fired-up Olimpija outfit, who boast more experience at this stage of Champions League qualifying, should do enough to record at least a draw in the second leg to send them through on aggregate to the next round.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ferencvaros vs. KI (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Hungarian giants Ferencvaros welcome Faroe Islands champions KI Klaksvik to the Groupama Arena for the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifier on Wednesday evening.
The tie is finely poised after the two teams played a goalless draw in the first leg at the Djupumyra Stadium last week.
We say: Ferencvaros 1-0 KI Klaksvik (Ferencvaros to win 1-0 on aggregate)
Following a closely-fought first leg last week, another tight affair could be on the cards on Wednesday, but Ferencvaros will be regarded as the favourites on home soil and we believe that they will find a way to break down KI to claim a slender second-leg victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Qarabag vs. Lincoln (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
One goal ahead following last week's first leg, Qarabag FK aim to secure a spot in the Champions League's second qualifying round when they reconvene with Lincoln Red Imps on Wednesday.
A second-half fightback in Gibraltar has the Azeri champions in the driving seat approaching the return leg at Baku National Stadium.
We say: Qarabag FK 2-0 Lincoln Red Imps (Qarabag win 4-1 on aggregate)
Despite struggling to break down an obdurate Lincoln side last week, Qarabag possess plenty of attacking talent and have options that can change a game from off the bench. With their lead still a slim one, the hosts will still be motivated to go for goals, before stepping off the gas once the job is all but done.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Dinamo Tbilisi vs. Astana (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Dinamo Tbilisi and Astana will renew hostilities when they meet for the second leg of their Champions League qualification showdown at the Boris Paitchadze Dinamo Arena on Wednesday.
Following a 1-1 draw in Kazakhstan last week, the two sides will lock horns in the Georgian capital and battle it out for a place in the second qualifying round.
We say: Dinamo Tbilisi 2-1 Astana (Dinamo Tbilisi to win 3-2 on aggregate)
With the home crowd behind them, Dinamo Tbilisi should have what it takes to reach the second qualifying round at the expense of Astana, who look set to pay the price for their wastefulness in the first leg.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ludogorets vs. KF Ballkani (Wednesday, 7.00pm)
© Reuters
Kosovan outfit KF Ballkani carry a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad.
Welcoming Ballkani to Huvepharma Arena on Wednesday, Ludogorets will need to take the game to their visitors in order to overcome the two-goal deficit.
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 2-2 KF Ballkani (KF Ballkani to win 4-2 on aggregate)
Buoyed by last week's triumph on home soil, Ballkani will be determined to complete the job on Wednesday, while Ludogorets have no choice but to go for broke.
We expect the second leg to be a chaotic affair as Ludogorets aim to overcome the two-goal deficit, but the hosts' approach will likely leave them exposed at the back.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Swift Hesperange vs. Slovan Bratislava (Wednesday, 7.00pm)
© Reuters
Swift Hesperange and Slovan Bratislava will resume their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round battle when they meet for the second leg at Stade de Luxembourg on Wednesday evening.
The tie still hangs in the balance as these sides cancelled each other out 1-1 in the first leg, and they will now have to settle the duel with the winner moving on to the second qualifying round against the winners of match 15 between FC Urartu and Zrinjski.
We say: Swift Hesperange 1-2 Slovan Bratislava
Slovan Bratislava will have a point to prove after a heated first leg, and they will likely look to put the hosts under pressure from the first whistle. Swift can be expected to create a few chances at home, but the visitors should dominate once again, and we expect them to outscore their opponents and move on to round two.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Larne vs. HJK Helsinki (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
© Reuters
The Finnish champions HJK Helsinki will head to Northern Ireland in midweek to take on Larne in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round second leg at Solitude on Wednesday evening.
After securing a 1-0 lead at Bolt Arena last week, the visitors come into this match with the advantage and are the favourites to qualify for the next round, where they will take on Norwegian champions Molde.
We say: Larne 0-1 HJK Helsinki
The hosts were outplayed for the most part in the first leg, and while they should put on a better showing at home, it seems unlikely that they will be able to overturn this tie.
The visitors will prioritse keeping a clean sheet here, and if they get an early goal, we can see them sitting back and holding on to their lead to take their place in the next round.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Oliver Thomas
