Champions League

Champions League

It is the Champions League third qualifying round second leg this week and Celtic take a slender one nil lead to Azerbaijani champions FK Qarabag. The first leg was a really tight affair and it wasn't until the 82nd minute that Boyata scored what was to be the winning goal. Qarabag were content to sit back and soak up the pressure and this made it difficult for the Scottish champions to break them down.

Keeping a clean sheet is a massive boost and I think the game will be a lot different with the hosts having to be a lot more attacking this time around. There should be plenty more space in behind the Qarabag defence and having the comfort of a lead will mean Celtic are more relaxed. I think this will be a game much ore to Celtic's liking and that they will go through to the Group stages comfortably by winning on the night. They are best priced 17/11 to do this and this represents a little bit of value.

To do this though they will have to contend with extremely high temperatures in Armenia and a less than perfect pitch. In the first leg Qarabag often played it out dangerously from the back and if they repeat that in this game they could easily be caught out by the conditions and I am sure this is something that Celtic will be mindful of.

Of the matches that take place tonight Ajax and Monaco should both prove too strong for Rapid Vienna and Young Boys respectively. Although they appear to be more tightly matched I favour the other to homes sides, Apoel Nicosia and Molde to also win on the night. The accumulator pays around 12.6 and I think it is definitely worth a shot.

Catterick

There is one horse that stands out for me today at Catterick and that comes in the 16:45. Tavener won over six furlongs at Thirsk in June and has since changed hands over to David O'Meara. The form of that race is strong with the second, third and fourth horses all running well in higher class races subsequently. Taverner is just three pounds higher here and looks like the one to be on.

Alaskan Wing looks the main danger as his record at Catterick is excellent and he only just failed to record a hat trick on his latest run. He has gone up in the weights due to that good run of form though and I think he is vunerable to an improving Taverner.

Today's Selections

Champions league third qualifying round second leg.

Ajax, Monaco, Molde & Nicosia - 1 point win accumulator @ 12.6

16:45 Catterick Taverner - 1 point win @ 3/1