UNION SAINT-GILLOISE fell at the first hurdle in their last crack at UEFA Champions League qualifying and will be desperate to avoid a repeat when they take on Slavia Prague this season.
When the Belgians faced Rangers two years ago it was their first European tie since the 1960s and things looked good when they beat the Ibrox side 2-0 at the Joseph Marien Stadium.
It all unravelled back at Ibrox as they fell to a 3-0 defeat but Union have a lot more experience under their belt now, having reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League and the last 16 of the Conference League.
They will need all that know-how to get past Slavia Prague who have made a habit of getting to the latter stages of European tournaments in the last decade.
The Czechs reached the last 16 of the Europa League last term before falling to AC Milan and will be determined to reach the Champions League groups for the first time in five years.
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Slavia Prague v Union Saint-Gilloise top betting tips
Both of these sides are in the early stages of their domestic campaigns, with Slavia Prague claiming seven points from their first three games and Union boasting a win and a draw from their two outings.
This is their first European outing of the new campaign and Betfred reckon home advantage will be key as they make the Czechs 5/6 favourites.
It's hard to disagree, with Slavia Prague winning nine of their last 12 ties in Europe at the Fortuna Arena. Roma, Sheriff Tiraspol and Servette all lost there in the Europa League group stage last term, with the Czechs keeping a clean sheet each time.
That suggests backing a home win to nil tonight could pay off and the bet pays 21/10.
Slovak forward Ivan Schranz should lead the line for Slavia Prague and he's coming off a good Euro 2024, where he scored three times. Schranz is 12/5 for anytime scorer tonight and that looks decent value.
Slovan Bratislava v APOEL top tips
Slovan Bratislava have never reached the Champions League group stage but if they can get past APOEL they will find themselves within touching distance.
The Slovakian side have impressed so far in qualifying, crushing Struga of Macedonia 6-3 on aggregate before beating Slovenian side NK Celje 5-1 over two legs.
APOEL have enjoyed more success in the Champions League, reaching the groups four times, but only just edged past Petrocub of Moldova 2-1 on aggregate in the last round.
That makes me think Slovan could be worth a punt for a first-leg win at home and they are 23/20 with Betfred.
The Slovakians have conceded in three of their four Euro outings this term so BTTS also appeals at 5/6 while over 2.5 goals is better at 11/10.
FC Copenhagen v Banik Ostrava top tips
There's a few UEFA Conference League games tonight as well and Kilmarnock fans will have one eye on FC Copenhagen's clash with Banik Ostrava.
If Killie can get past Tromso they will face the winner of this tie in the next round and it's hard to see past the Danish side.
FC Copenhagen were Champions League shock troops last term and reached the last 16 before falling to mighty Manchester City.
That suggests they will be too strong for Banik Ostrava and Betfred make them just 4/9 for a win on Danish soil. But backing Copenhagen to be winning at half-time and full-time boosts the odds to a decent 5/4.
Wednesday's Football Tips: Super singles
- Slavia win to nil 21/10 Betfred
- Slovan Bratislava to win 23/20 Betfred
- FC Copenhagen HT-FT 5/4 Betfred
Upcoming match previews & tips
- Wed 18:00 Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen
- Wed 18:00 Slavia Prague v Union Saint-Gilloise
- Wed 19:30 Slovan Bratislava v APOEL
Racing tips
Cairnzy heads to Brighton for his top tips today while Rizzel picks out a couple of horses to watch at Pontefract.
- Wednesday’s Racing Tips – Karl Burke can fire in another juvenile winner with End Of Romance
- Wednesday’s Lucky 15 Tips – Wednesday’s selections from Yarmouth, Brighton and Pontefract
As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.
Club Friendlies
Ko 0000
Chelsea v real Madrid
Under 3.5 goals
Ko 0030
Barcelona v ac milan
Under 3.5 goals
Double – 2.3/1
Over 3.5mgs double @ 1/1 (Whill) Nap
Brann u19 vs Lillestrom u19
Start u19 vs Rosenborg u19
Small stakes
Over 4.5mgs double @ 2.4/1 (Whill)
Over 5.5mgs double @ 6.9/1 (Whill)
These games can throw up some big score lines but finding value can be difficult at times so anywhere around evens for the nap I am all over. Fancy the Viking u19 game to see goals too but more reluctant on the goal lines set at bet365 while hills haven’t listed it. Keep an eye for it Inplay.
Wouldn’t put anyone off taking these two games as singles on over 4.5mgs and especially the Start u19 game who between them and their opponents regularly see their games breach the 4/5/6 goal lines and will be putting something on when the FHG markets are able to be combined before kick off.
Good luck 🤞
On those too BigWigg but strangely the odds have increased massively for the Start game even though it has just kicked off, fingers crossed the bookies have it wrong!
Bgwig
you have made my day
Over 4.5 won
Congratulations
Cheers 👍 glad a few people took money off the bookies with those ones.
Few penny’s on this at 11am in Japan
Cerezo Osaka vs Machida Zelvia 🇯🇵
Over 2.5 match goals 21/20 ,
Will have a main bet up later ,
Goodluck 👍
This went tits up finished 0-0 , big well done to bigwigg though on the Norwegian youth games actually followed you on the over 4.5 double and went for first half goals which came in aswel , made up for my crap lol
Arsenal v Leverkussen
Over 4 first half corners 6/4
2 + corners each team in each half 6/1 has got to be worth a punt
Skybet
Don’t want to say it again but friendlies….
Haha Master, this one`s a winner mate 😀
Right, I’ll follow you on this 😜
Chalk this as a L already….
Not yet mate
Wee flurry 😊
Over 4 first half corners 6/4 WINNER . Easy money Master lol
6/1 shot LOSER
Haha well done pal.
Over 3.5mgs double @ 1/1 (Whill) Nap✅
Brann u19 vs Lillestrom u19 Start u19 vs Rosenborg u19
Small stakes
Over 4.5mgs double @ 2.4/1 (Whill)✅
Over 5.5mgs double @ 6.9/1 (Whill)✅
Ham Kam u19 vs Viking u19
Will have a small stake on this since everything landed with the above two games and think there should be a few goals here.
Bet builder @ 11/10 (bet365)
Over 1.5 FHG
Over 4.5mgs
Good luck for the rest of the day 🤞
First class
Yesterday’s bet won at 21/20
Today’s bet
Venezuela
Portuguesa v Caracas
Both teams to score
Ladbrokes 6/5
NAP
Oldie is on Fire 🔥🔥💯💯
Will there be any ante post previews for up coming English leagues
Check yesterday’s thread as maccathered posted a few tips for Euro league winners. English leagues he’s took Arsenal to win and Coventry promoted 👍
Copenhagen 🇪🇺 (6.00pm)
Jagiellonia 🇪🇺 (7.45pm)
Over 2.5 match goals double 1.13/1 ,
Goodluck with the bets tonight all 👍
A load of plop today with my picks 👎👎
Well done winners today so far………
In play
Arsenal over 4.5 team goals
Copenhagen over 1.5 team goals
Double 7/1
Estudiantes de Mérida
V
Academia Puerto Cabello
22:00
Venezuelan Premier Division 🇻🇪
BTTS 21-20 NAP/NB.
see this as a 1-1 draw so all eggs in the BTTS basket tonight.
2-1 latest score.
Good night/nos da
The Mail Man delivers again 👏
Jagiellonia – Bodo Glimt
Jagiellonia win+btts @15/4
Prediction 3-1
Afmico Pullups anytime scorer for Jagiellonia @17/10
Pululu*
Been texting someone about going to the gym pal? 🤣🤣
NAP landed last time out earlier in the week found a late night pick I’m keen on..
CRB 11PM
To score 1+
11/8 NAP (SKY)
A.MINIERO v CRB 11PM
Both teams to score
17/10 NB (LAD)