Aberdeen have a mountain to climb against Rijeka after losing the first leg of their Europa League qualifier 2-0 and we fear this challenge is beyond them. Derek McInnes has never made it past this point in five previous attempts with the Dons and everything points towards more heartbreak.
Ajax were given a good work-out by PAOK Salonika when drawing 2-2 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier but now seem well set to progress. Last season’s semi-finalists faced up well to a hostile atmosphere and some tough tackling in Greece and can make home advantage count.
Rangers will be fired up to exorcise the demons of their last trip to face Progres Niederkorn in a Europa League qualifier two years ago. On that occasion, the Glasgow giants lost in Luxembourg to crash out, but this time they travel with a 2-0 advantage and much greater focus.
Aberdeen showed plenty of spirit to earn a 1-1 draw with Chikhura Sachkhere in Tbilisi and are fancied to finish the job off at Pittodrie. Derek McInnes has to contend with injury problems at the back ahead of this Europa League qualifier, but the Dons can do enough going forward to progress.
Wolves were frustrated for long periods of their first clash with Crusaders but are still well placed to coast through this Europa League qualifier. Wanderers eventually secured a 2-0 advantage at Molineux after having 80 per cent of the possession and should again dominate in the return fixture.
PSV face a tough test when visiting Basel in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier but are rated too good to go out at this stage. The Dutch outfit fired in a couple of late strikes when securing a slender 3-2 advantage on home turf and can finish the job off in Switzerland.
Celtic will take a comfortable 5-0 lead over Nomme Kalju to Estonia for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier. However, the Hoops may now have one eye on Saturday’s Scottish Premiership opener against St Johnstone, so that could allow their hosts to at least be more competitive.
Viktoria Plzen acquitted themselves pretty well in last season’s Champions League group stage and could give Olympiakos a decent test in the Czech Republic. However, their Greek opponents have a great record in European qualifiers, being unbeaten in their last 10 such fixtures.
Rangers had to be patient when taking on St Joseph’s in Gibraltar but will be looking to get on top much earlier in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier. The first encounter was goalless at the interval, but Steven Gerrard’s side then managed to cut loose after the break to win 4-0.
Kilmarnock were given a fright when visiting Connah’s Quay in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier and will be looking for a smoother ride at Rugby Park. Killie had to come from behind to snatch a late 2-1 triumph in Wales but should now be able to ease through to the next stage.
Aberdeen still have work to do after conceding a last-gasp goal in their 2-1 Europa League win over Rovaniemi but should be up to the task in Finland. The Dons looked a cut above their opponents for long periods at Pittodrie and would have been emphatic victors with more clinical finishing.
Celtic were given a minor scare before coming from behind to beat FK Sarajevo 3-1 in the away leg of their Champions League qualifier, but should improve for that outing. The Hoops will now hope to make smooth progress in Glasgow and a more clinical display is on the cards.
Liverpool and Tottenham will battle it out in Madrid on Saturday night and we’ve asked our Bwin News editors for their expert Champions League final predictions. Bwin is offering odds on a huge range of markets ahead of this clash and here’s three contrasting betting tips on how to cash in.
Barcelona will be seeking a fifth straight Copa del Rey triumph when taking on Valencia and they tend to turn on the style in the Spanish cup final. The Blaugrana thumped Sevilla 5-0 last season to make it 13 goals netted in the previous four deciders, so we’re expecting to be entertained again this weekend.