Champions League Tips: Celtic to maintain their Icelandic hot streak

Zalgiris 4.40 v Malmo FF 2.02; The Draw 3.40
Tuesday, 19:10
Live on Betfair Live Video

Any Red Bull Salzburg fans eager to check out what awaits them in the third qualifying roundneed nothing more than a Betfair account to be able to tune in. They will hope to avoid Malmo FF due to being eliminated by them last term, and the Swedes are in slight jeopardy after a 0-0 draw at home.

However, the 18-time Allsvenskan champions won't be unnerved yet: they created far more chances in the first leg, whereas their foes haven't netted in their past four Champions League games.

That trend potentially takes us to where the profit lies, as a monster 18 of Malmo FF's previous 21 continental clashes left both-teams-to-score backers frustrated. In other words, there almost certainly will be zeroes.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score? No @ 1.76

Dundalk 3.15 v BATE Borisov 2.38; The Draw 3.50
Wednesday, 19:45

This column gave Dundalk the big sell before the first leg, going so far as to advise laying their hosts. Though the Irish title holders didn't quite get the job done, they weren't shown up, equalising after falling behind early on and eventually losing 2-1.

Their competitiveness was confirmed by registering seven shots either on or off target to BATE's eight, tying for corners and drawing more fouls, while David McMillan's strike made it 28 straight fixtures that they have scored in.

In fact, their last six encounters featured a hefty 26 goals, 16 for them and ten for their adversaries, and both sides notched in every single one of those. Given that it took a mere 32 minutes for both goalkeepers to have their clean-sheet-keeping plans ruined in the first leg, it looks like a wise wager.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.92

Stjarnan 9.60 v Celtic 1.44; The Draw 4.60
Wednesday, 20:15
Live on BT Sport 1

Backing the same bet in the second leg as the first might seem like laziness, but as long as the formula is working for Celtic, there is no reason why it shouldn't do so for this column either.

The Bhoys have now played five Champions League second qualifying round legs since 2013, the latter three all against Icelandic clubs, and they have won the lot without conceding a goal, claiming the home tie in this double header 2-0 despite having a penalty saved.

In total, Ronny Deila's men have engaged in five matches against Icelandic opponents in Europe now and their record is faultless: P5 W5 D0 L0 F16 A0.

Recommended Bet: Back Celtic to win to nil @ 2.20