Virgil to provide touch of class in Champions League qualifier

Against Inverness CT on Saturday Celtic seemed to be embarking on a practice mission ahead of their Champions League game with Shakhter Karaganda. On that occasion they were successful coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2, a result that would send this tie into extra-time. The Glasgow side will take heart from the fact that four times previously they have faced a 2-0 deficit with the second leg at home and three times they have pulled off the successful fight-back. Celtic are 20/19 (888 SPORT/unibet) to qualify and 1/4 (GENERAL) to win on the night. Shakhter Karaganda have been written off although throughout this European campaign yet have proved their doubters wrong. They are 14/1 (sportingbet/BETVICTOR/STAN JAMES) for a second leg victory and 4/5 (GENERAL) to qualify.

Bookmakers make Anthony Stokes 18/19 (888 SPORT/unibet) to score at anytime while Georgios Samaras is a 6/5 (GENERAL) chance and Amido Balde is 5/4 (CORAL). Kris Commons has scored in two of the last four Celtic home games in the Champions League and is 23/17 (888 SPORT/unibet) to score anytime.

The bet in this game could be in taking Virgil van Dijk in the anytime scorer market at 12/1 (william hill). The Dutchman was a real threat in the first leg and had a shot cleared of the line and a header saved and he looks value to get among the goals on Wednesday.

It looks all to play for in the game between Milan and PSV after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw and it is now back to the San Siro. The Italian side are 1/3 (BETVICTOR/paddy Power) to qualify while PSV can be backed at 11/4 (888 SPORT/unibet). The Dutch side have not won on any of their four previous visits to the San Siro though Milan have won just one of their last five home games in this competition. A PSV victory is priced at 9/2 (GENERAL) while the draw is 3/1 (BETVICTOR/ladbrokes) and a Milan victory is 7/10 (BETVICTOR/william hill/betway).

Our tip to score anytime in the last game Zakaria Bakkali missed out through injury though could be back for this one and if he makes the team he could be worth siding with in the anytime scorer market at 7/2 (SKYBET/BETVICTOR). The 17-year-old Belgian has netted four times in the Dutch league this season as well as once in qualifying.

Real Sociedad produced a professional performance to win in France in the first leg and with a 2-0 advantage you think the Spanish side would qualify now. Sociedad are evens (TOTESPORT/betfred/CORAL) for a second leg victory while the draw is a 27/10 (BWIN) chance and a Lyon victory is 3/1 (GENERAL).

Maribor entertain Plzen with the home side 3-1 down from the first leg with such a good advantage I think it has to be worth taking Maribor at 6/4 (GENERAL) in the draw no bet market. The home side have not lost a competitive game at their own ground since March and Plzen will not be looking to win this game as they have that two goal advantage.

The early game is between Zenit and Pacos de Ferreira and after a 4-1 victory in the first leg you would expect the Russians to cruise through and are a unbackable 1/3 (boylesports) for victory while the draw is 19/4 (BETVICTOR) and an away win 11/1 (GENERAL).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Maribor draw no bet v Plzen, 6/4 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Zakaria Bakkali to score anytime v Milan, 7/2 (SKYBET/BETVICTOR)
BRONZE: Virgil van Dijk to score anytime v S.Karaganda, 12/1 (william hill)

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28/08/2013     © Frixo 2026