Celtic and Rangers are one tie away from making the league phase of this season’s UEFA Champions League. We've sniffed out a great value treble from three of the play-off's first leg matches featuring both Glasgow giants and seasoned European campaigners Benfica. Check out our Champions League Acca tips.
Champions League Play Offs 1st Leg Acca Tips
We have focussed on the two matches featuring the Old Firm along with Benfica’s visit to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. If the three bets come off then our treble will net you a payout of £114.69 from a £10 bet with bet365.
| Match | Market | Odds at bet365 |
|---|---|---|
| Rangers vs Club Brugge | Djeidi Gassama to Score or Assist, BTTS Yes | 12/5 |
| Celtic vs Kairat Almaty | Celtic to win, Over 2.5 Goals | 8/15 |
| Fenerbahce vs Benfica | Under 2.5 Goals | 6/5 |
| Treble: 10.46/1 |
Odds correct on 19/08/2025 at 08:30. Odds subject to change.
Let’s have a closer look at three ties and the reasoning behind why we think our picks will come in.
Bet One: Rangers vs Club Brugge, Djeidi Gassama to Score or Assist, BTTS Yes (12/5)
Rangers have made a stuttering start this season and new boss Russell Martin has expressed concern over some of their performances. However, despite dropping early points in the Scottish Premiership, the Light Blues have managed to get results in Europe. It will be a tough test against Club Brugge who have produced some good Champions League performances in recent years and have made a positive start to the season.
The two sides drew 2-2 in a pre-season friendly at Ibrox. While there will be a more competitive atmosphere this time, we are once again expecting goals at both ends. Rangers have been finding the net fairly regularly but have only kept one clean sheet in seven competitive matches this season. Conceding twice in their Scottish League Cup victory over Alloa Athletic last time out will not have pleased Martin.
Our football stats hub shows that both teams scored in 63% of Club Brugge’s league games last season. In the Champions League this was 50%. Brugge have kept three clean sheets in seven matches in all competitions this season, but they have scored in each one. We think that there will be goals at both ends in this one.
Bet Two: Celtic vs Kairat Almaty, Celtic to win, Over 2.5 Goals (8/15)
Celtic go into this play-off tie with a 100% record in competitive matches this season. The Hoops have qualified for the Champions League proper for four consecutive seasons and had an impressive European campaign last season. Standing in their way are Kairat Almaty, the champions of Kazakhstan.
While Celtic are massive favourites, Brendan Rodgers will not be underestimating Kairat. They have already defied expectations, setting a club record for progress in this competition and guaranteeing themselves a Europa League spot in the process. We think that despite their excellent European season to date, that they will find Celtic too much. We are confidently predicting a home win.
Rodgers will be mindful that the Buoys face a 10-hour flight to get to the second leg next week. He will be keen for his side to put the tie to bed in the East End of Glasgow which is why we think that there will be a minimum of three goals in this one.
Bet Three: Fenerbahce vs Benfica, Under 2.5 Goals (6/5)
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce face a tough task if they are to progress to the league stage in the form of Benfica. Bruno Lage’s side reached the last 16 of the competition last season and have begun the season in great form, winning all four matches in all competitions without conceding a goal.
Fenerbahce can struggle to break down well drilled sides and, although they have not shown the sort of defensive solidity often associated with Mourinho’s teams, we don’t see many goals in this one, despite the visitors’ fine form. We believe that Mourinho will draw on all of his European experience to make his side difficult to beat. We don’t think that they will find it easy to score at the other end though.
Benfica have the players to cause Fenerbahce problems, however, they have a few fitness concerns and will probably be happy to keep things tight and finish the job at the Stadium of Light next week. We are confident that this will be low scoring.
No Expiry Date
