Betting round-up: Motherwell's Champions League test
31/07/2012 11:45:00 AM
With plenty of minnows having already made up the first qualifying stages, the bigger names are beginning to enter the road to Champions League glory
The UEFA Champions League goes up a significant notch on Tuesday, with some of the big guns joining the competition in the third qualifying round.
Among the likely highlights is the debut appearance in the world's most prestigious club competition of Scottish side Motherwell.
Motherwell are Scotland's second representatives in the Champions' League this season ‑ behind champions Celtic, who will join the competition in the fourth and final qualifying round in August ‑ following the shock liquidation of Scottish powerhouse club Rangers.
Rangers have been barred from both the Scottish Premier League, which starts this coming weekend, as well as European competition due to their financial position and will instead play in the Scottish third division next season.
But Rangers' loss has been Motherwell's gain and, despite only finishing third in the SPL last season, the Lanarkshire club now finds itself competing against some of the most famous teams in world football.
Their opponent in the third qualifying round are Greece's most successful club in European competition, Panathinaikos, who were European Cup runners-up in 1971 and semi-finalists in 1985 and 1996.
Online bookmakers Luxbet have installed Motherwell as $4.20 underdogs in the first leg of their two-legged tie at home against Panathinaikos on Tuesday, with the Greek club at $1.79 and the draw at $3.30.
However, Motherwell are good value in the draw/no bet market at Luxbet at $3.10, in which punters get their money back if Motherwell manage a draw but will receive only $3.10 rather than $4.20 if they pull off an upset win.
 |
BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Dynamo Kiev to beat Feyenoord in the first leg at $1.59 at Luxbet |
Back Motherwell in the draw/no bet market against Panathinaikos at $3.10 |
The other Champions League tie to be played on Tuesday (Wednesday morning, Australian time) sees Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev hosting Dutch club Feyenoord.
Both have proud European traditions, with Feyenoord winning this competition in 1970 while Dynamo Kiev have been to the semi-finals on three occasions.
Luxbet have installed Kiev as the $1.59 favourites at home in the first leg, with the draw at $3.70 and the Eredivisie outsiders at $5.
But with the Dutch club also having had recent financial problems, affecting their ability to compete in the transfer market, Dynamo should win the first leg at home and will be favourites to go through over the two legs.
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