Champions League Tips: First-half Lille secret revealed

Simon Kjaer played the entirety of Lille's 2-0 first-leg triumph

Michael Lintorn picks out three tasty bets for Tuesday's Champions League third qualifying round second legs...

BATE Borisov v Debrecen
Tuesday, 18:30

Match Odds: BATE Borisov 1.75/7, Debrecen 6.411/2, The Draw 3.814/5

After successive participations in 2011/12 and 2012/13, BATE Borisov's relationship with the group stage appears to be on the rocks. They were turned over home and away by Shakhter Karagandy in last season's preliminaries and trail Debrecen 0-1 this term having snuck past Skenderbeu Korce on away goals.

Low-scoring games have accompanied the demise, with their last five European encounters all delivering two goals or fewer - and indeed five strikes in total. Debrecen's previous five have provided under-2.5-goals backers with a constant supply of profit too.

Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.684/6

Panathinaikos v Standard
Tuesday, 19:00

Match Odds: Panathinaikos 2.0421/20, Standard 4.47/2, The Draw 3.45n/a

A goalless draw in Lady Gaga's favourite Belgian city leaves the spot in the play-off round very much unoccupied. Panathinaikos are a shade above evens to maximise home advantage to pick up the W and progress, but the most attractive bet looks to be opposing both teams to score at 1.845/6.

The Greek side's last five Champions League ties were notable for each featuring at least one clean sheet, with the latter two parking up at stalemate central. Three of Standard's last four competitive fixtures proved similarly BTTS-proof, as have four of their most recent six Champions League clashes.

Recommended Bet: Back Both Teams to Score? No @ 1.845/6

Lille v Grasshoppers Zurich
Tuesday, 19:30

Match Odds: Lille 1.434/9, Grasshoppers Zurich 10.09/1, The Draw 4.84/1

There is always a slight wariness about betting on a short-priced favourite in the second leg of a double header that they lead comfortably on aggregate, as the hosts do (2-0). Luckily, there is a Lille trend of such substance that you can swerve that debate in favour of laying the half-time draw.

Since their last continental bore draw against Trabzonspor in December 2011, Lille have been on nine European dates. Every single one has contained at least one first-half goal, the unsurprising consequence being that none of them have been level at the break.

Recommended Bet: Lay the half-time draw @ 2.56/4