The Champions League qualifiers are gathering pace as we reach the third round. And we have come up with four value bets that could give your betting for the new season an early boost.
Today’s Champions League Qualifier Tips
These qualifying matches are a gateway into the league stage of Europe’s premier competition. But it is a hard balance for the clubs involved as the matches fall right in the thick of pre-season preparations. So, as a consequence, there can be some shock results and form can be difficult to gauge. However, if you look closely enough you can often find value. Check out our four bets with the odds from bet365.
| Match | Market | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Malmo vs Copenhagen | Under 2.5 goals | 9/10 |
| Dynamo Kyiv vs Pafos | Under 2.5 goals | 17/20 |
| Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň | BTTS Yes | 4/5 |
| Nice vs Benfica | Benfica to win | 5/4 |
| Four-fold Acca | 13.23/1 |
Odds correct on 04/08/2025 at 09:00. Odds subject to change.
If you were to back this as a four-fold acca a £10 bet would get you a return of £142.35 if they are all successful. Now let’s look closer at each bet and we’ll explain why we think they will come in.
Bet 1: Malmo vs Copenhagen, Under 2.5 Goals (9/10)
Both sides have been extremely tight defensively in recent weeks and we think, given the importance of the occasion we are in for a cagey affair.
Unlike many of the teams at this stage the season is in full swing for these two. After a bit of a goal-fest in their opening match where they came out 3-2 winners away from home Copenhagen have kept a clean sheet in each of their subsequent Danish Superliga fixtures, recording consecutive 2-0 successes. In the second round of the Champions League qualifier, they achieved shut outs in both legs against Drita.
Malmo are currently fourth in the Allsvenskan having conceded only 14 goals in 18 matches. They haven’t exactly been free scoring at the other end with a total of 28. In the second leg of their second round Champions League qualifier, they not only kept a clean sheet against RFS but denied their opponents a single shot on target. We will be surprised if there are more than a couple of goals in this one.
Bet 2: Dynamo Kyiv vs Pafos, Under 2.5 Goals (17/20)
This is another match that we feel will be tight. If you check out our stats hub you will see that both sides were defensively solid last season. They have both started this season in a similar manner.
Dynamo have kept clean sheets in each of their five competitive matches this season. Pafos have not started their league season yet, however, their second round qualifying tie against Maccabi Tel Aviv were both low-scoring affairs. Dynamo will be desperate to make the league phase of the Champions League having fallen short last season. Pafos are excellent away from home and will feel like they can bring something back. We are confident that defences will be on top here.
Bet 3: Rangers vs Viktoria Plzen , BTTS Yes (4/5)
To give Rangers credit they really took their chances in their 3-1 aggregate win over Panathinaikos. They kept a clean sheet at Ibrox, however, their opponents had chances and Russell Martin’s side were fortunate not to concede. In the return leg Panathinaikos missed a number of opportunities and Rangers were indebted to their goalkeeper Jack Butland. When the Super League Greece runners-up finally broke the deadlock Rangers hit back straight away to kill the tie.
The weekend saw them draw 1-1 away at Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership and Martin was not happy with his side’s performance. While they are generally getting on the scoresheet their displays have not been convincing, and they look vulnerable at the back.
Viktoria Plzeň have won one and drawn one from their two league matches this season, scoring six and conceding two. In the second qualifying round they overcame Servette 3-2 on aggregate. They are a dangerous opponent for Rangers, and we think that there will be goals in this one, at both ends.
Bet 4: Nice vs Benfica, Benfica to Win (5/4)
Nice are an ambitious club, and they have put themselves right in the mix to make the League phase of the Champions League. Les Aiglons have had a steady pre-season in terms of results but although this is a difficult match for Benfica, we expect the Portuguese side to have too much for Franck Haise’s side.
Benfica have had very little respite since the end of last season, due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. They beat rivals Sporting in the Portuguese Super Cup last week and they still look sharp. The effects of so little rest will probably not become apparent for a few weeks. Bruno Lage’s side have not lost in normal time since their defeat to Barcelona in March. We think that they will be very much on their game and will come away with a first-leg lead.
