Champions League Tips: The five best qualifying bets

Finnish champions HJK Helsinki specialise in shutouts

Michael Lintorn counts down the five standout bets for Wednesday's Champions League qualifying second-legs...

5
St Patrick's v Legia Warsaw
Wednesday, 19:45
Back St Patrick's to lead at half-time @ 5.04/1

This bet landed at mega odds of 13.0 in the first leg, and last week's weather proved that lightning can indeed strike twice and often does. The trend rendering a second punt on this market irresistible is that Legia Warsaw have trailed at the interval in four of their last five Champions League games, despite losing none of them.

4
Steaua Bucharest v Stromsgodset
Wednesday, 18:30
Back Steaua Bucharest to score two or more goals @ 1.84/5

The main issue for leagues that start in the winter is that once European qualifiers arise, the prior campaign's surprise hits have already reverted to mediocrity. Norwegian champions Stromsgodset prove the principle: they are nine points off the Eliteserien pace this term, lost boss Ronny Deila to Celtic and have shipped two or more in four of their last five league road trips.

3
Ventspils v Malmo FF
Wednesday, 17:00
Lay Malmo FF to score the next (first) goal @ 1.558/15

Malmo FF's fondness for home clean sheets enabled us to profit from last week's first-leg stalemate, but they struggle to silence opponents on European travels. In just one of their last eight away days abroad did they break the deadlock, so oppose them at odds-on against a side they failed to breach in Sweden.

2
NK Maribor v Zrinjski
Wednesday, 19:00
Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.84/5

This was one of five first-leg bore draws, and is perhaps the most likely of those entertainment-light double acts to amuse nobody besides under 2.5 goals backers again in the return clash. Seven of NK Maribor's last eight Champions League matches produced two goals or less, with three finishing 0-0.

1
HJK Helsinki v Rabotnicki
Wednesday, 17:00
Back HJK Helsinki to keep a clean sheet @ 1.910/11

Finland's finest have achieved seven successive home shutouts in the ongoing Veikkausliiga season, in which they top the table by a whopping nine points after 20 games. Their clean sheet savvy isn't exclusive to domestic football, with eight obtained in their last 11 Champions League ties as hosts.