The second qualifying round for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is set to kick off on Tuesday with an initial 11 matches, followed by a further three on Wednesday.
While some of these teams have already made it through a two-legged showdown in the first qualifying round, others are preparing for their first match in this year’s competition after earning an automatic pass to this round last campaign.
These matches are sure to provide plenty of drama as every team battles to earn their place in this year’s revamped league phase, and we’ve picked out our top tips and booking code for a selection of the fixtures: (all odds at time of writing and subject to change)
Bodoe/Glimt vs Rigas Futbola Skola
Despite a number of successes in Europe’s second and third-tier competitions in recent seasons, including beating Celtic and Roma, Bodoe/Glimt are looking to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Kjetil Knutsen.
While Rigas Futbola Skola come into this game in good form, winning all of their last six matches, as well as being unbeaten in all of their last six away fixtures, Bodoe/Glimt are a much stronger opposition than they have faced in that time.
The Norwegian side’s squad possesses much more quality, and with them holding the home advantage, we expect them to earn a comfortable first-leg lead.
Bodoe/Glimt to win, 1.32
Dynamo Kiev vs Partizan
Both of these teams enter into this competition in the ‘league path’ after finishing second in their respective leagues, meaning this second qualifying round match will be their first in the Champions League this season.
While Dynamo Kiev hold the home advantage, Partizan’s league season has already begun and should mean they are more match sharp coming into the game. We think that factor will make this a tight game between the two sides, but we believe the hosts will gain a narrow victory.
Dynamo Kiev to win, 1.64
UE Santa Coloma vs Midtjylland
UE Santa Coloma won their first-ever domestic league title last season, earning them a place in the first qualifying round of the Champions League where they narrowly beat KF Ballkani on penalties after two legs.
Their opponents, Midtjylland, did not participate in the first round and instead enter at this stage after the Danish side also won their league title last campaign. The visitors are strong favourites for a heavy victory in this first game, and while we do expect that to eventually be the case, it may be tougher than they would have liked owing to several of their key players being unavailable.
Midtjylland to win & over 2.5 goals, 2.22
Lugano vs Fenerbahce Istanbul
Lugano’s defensive record was far from impressive in the Europa Conference League last season, making an exit from the group stages after conceding 14 times in six outings, scoring just six.
Fenerbahce, on the other hand, have consistently found themselves in the knockout stages of both the Europa and Europa Conference League in recent years and will come into this game hoping to go one step further and make it into the Champions League.
New boss Jose Mourinho will bring exceptional knowledge and expertise of competing in European competitions for the visitors, and we believe his side will take a comfortable lead from this game into their home leg.
Fenerbahce Istanbul to win & over 1.5 goals, 1.98
Exclusive Booking Code:
6TK7DX3 – Book Here
