Young Boys vs. Galatasaray (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
One step away from a place in the group stage, Young Boys and Galatasaray meet for the first leg of their Champions League playoff on Wednesday evening.
Both clubs enter qualifying in the final round, having been crowned domestic champions last season, and they will kick off their crucial tie at Bern's Wankdorf Stadium.
We say: Young Boys 1-1 Galatasaray
These clubs played out a 1-1 friendly draw in their only previous meeting, eight years ago, and that result could be replicated on Wednesday night.
Given their hosts' defensive woes, a potent Gala side are bound to score at least once and put themselves in good shape for next week's return.
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Midtjylland vs. Slovan Bratislava (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Imago
FC Midtjylland welcome Slovan Bratislava to MCH Arena for the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie on Wednesday night.
The winners of this two-legged tie will qualify for the newly-expanded 36-team Champions League, while the losers will drop down into the Europa League.
We say: FC Midtjylland 2-2 Slovan Bratislava
Both teams have looked strong in the opening stages of the new season, both domestically and in Europe, but as there is little to separate these two in-form teams, we can see the spoils being shared in an entertaining score draw, keeping the tie nicely poised ahead of next week's second leg in Slovakia.
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Malmo vs. Sparta Prague (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
![Lasse Berg Johnsen of Malmo FF celebrates during the UEFA Champions League football match between Malmo FF and Klaksvik on July 23, 2024 [on July 28, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/lasse-berg-johnsen.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Lasse Berg Johnsen of Malmo FF celebrates during the UEFA Champions League football match between Malmo FF and Klaksvik on July 23, 2024 [on July 28, 2024]")
© Imago
Malmo welcome Sparta Prague to Eleda Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie on Tuesday night.
The winners of this two-legged tie will qualify for the newly-expanded 36-team Champions League, while the losers will drop down into the Europa League.
We say: Malmo 1-2 Sparta Prague
Both teams will fancy their chances of claiming a positive result from Wednesday's contest, but taking into account Sparta Prague's impressive run of form at the start of the new campaign, we can see the Czech-based outfit coming away from Sweden with a slender first-leg victory.
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Dynamo Kiev vs. Salzburg (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Imago
Within two games of making the group stage, Dynamo Kiev and Red Bull Salzburg convene for the first leg of their crucial Champions League playoff on Wednesday evening.
Dynamo have seen off Partizan Belgrade and Rangers to reach the final hurdle, while Salzburg edged past Twente to progress from the third qualifying round.
We say: Dynamo Kiev 2-2 Red Bull Salzburg
Both sides have helped themselves to plenty of goals so far this season, and on effectively neutral ground, Salzburg will not be inhibited.
The Austrians can therefore put on a good show, securing a useful score draw ahead of next week's decisive second leg.
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Oliver Thomas
