Astana vs. Dinamo Tbilisi (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
The first leg of the Champions League qualifier between Astana and Dinamo Tbilisi takes place at the Astana Arena on Wednesday.
Astana won the Kazakhstan Premier League last season and are on course to defend their crown, while Dinamo Tbilisi are the reigning Georgian champions.
We say: Astana 1-1 Dinamo Tbilisi
With the second leg scheduled for next week, both sides will likely approach the first leg with caution, so we expect Astana and Dinamo Tbilisi to play out a cagey draw on Wednesday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
HJK Helsinki vs. Larne (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
The UEFA Champions League first qualifying round will get underway this week, and HJK Helsinki will be looking to get off to a positive start when they welcome Larne to Bolt Arena on Wednesday.
The hosts will begin their quest to reach the main tournament for the first time since the 1998/99 season, while the visitors will be making their maiden qualifier appearance here and will be hoping to earn their first-ever Champions League berth at the first time of asking.
We say: HJK Helsinki 2-1 Larne
Despite carrying poor form into this match, HJK Helsinki's experience at this level could be telling in this first leg. The visitors will relish this opportunity, and while securing a win may be too much of an ask in Finland, we fancy that they will give an excellent account of themselves and will get on the scoresheet, which will set up the second leg very nicely.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Hacken vs. New Saints (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
© Reuters
Hacken and The New Saints are set to embark on their Champions League qualification campaigns when they meet at Bravida Stadium in the first round on Wednesday evening.
The hosts have never reached the qualifying rounds of the competition before, while the visitors have never been past the third round.
We say: Hacken 3-0 The New Saints
The New Saints may well dominate their domestic league, but it is a much-lower standard than the Allsvenskan, so the hosts should run out comfortable winners.
In truth, the Swedish side's main aim will probably be to chalk up a lead big enough to ensure they can rest players in the second leg next week.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
SSC Farul vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Wednesday, 6.30pm)
© Reuters
SSC Farul will be aiming to secure a lead from the first leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying tie against Sheriff Tiraspol on Wednesday.
The match will be played at Stadionul Viitorul, pitting Romania's champions against Moldova's title winners.
We say: SSC Farul 1-1 Sheriff Tiraspol
Sheriff will be favourites to progress from this tie given that they have regularly competed in European competitions in recent seasons, but Farul should not be underestimated having made great strides under Hagi's tutelage in recent years.
However, we can envisage the visitors playing for a draw in the away leg before going for the win at Sheriff Stadium, and we expect them to achieve the first part of those aims on Wednesday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Slovan Bratislava vs. Swift Hesperange (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
© Reuters
Slovan Bratislava and Swift Hesperange begin their quest for a spot in the Champions League underway when they face off in the first leg of their qualifying clash on Wednesday.
Still celebrating their first-ever Luxembourg top-flight, the visiting side will head into the midweek clash kick off the qualifiers on a high and keep the juggernaut rolling.
We say: Slovan Bratislava 2-0 Swift Hesperange
Off the back of a superb pre-season, Slovan Bratislava will head into Wednesday's game with sky-high confidence. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we are backing Weiss men to come away with the victory unscathed.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ben Knapton
