Scottish champions Celtic prepares for the first leg in the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Azeri league-winners FK Quarabag.

Quarabag is not a well-known name amongst European football fans, however, with a trip to the Caucasus Celtic chances an unpleasant surprise. As Celtic are considered as firm favourites before the first leg, they should try to build as big an advantage as possible to ensure themselves a relaxed week before the reverse fixture. Celtic to beat Quarabag is priced at 1.44 (4/9) by Bet365.

Draw is available at 4.20 (16/5) while the Azeris are 7.50 (13/2) underdogs at the same online betting destination. Celtic are 1.33 (1/3) favourites to advance while a Quarabag aggregate victory is offered with odds of 3.25 (9/4). Celtic with a -1 handicap is priced at 2.30 (13/10) by Bet365, and the Bhoys’ half time/full time success pays at 2.20 (6/5). Celtic chances to beat Quarabag by two goals is a fancy option, available at 4.33 (10/3).

Dailyrecord.co.uk: Ronny Deila says Celtic must ‘step it up’ to keep Champions League dream on track

 
Norwegian boss Ronny Deila expressed that the best European performance is needed from Celtic to beat Quarabag. The Celts are facing the Azeri side in the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Deila insists that Celtic will need their best form to reach the play-off round against the tricky opposition from Baku.

The Bhoys showed their best European displays most recently against Internazionale in the knockout phase of the Champions League earlier this year, as many of those who follow live sports results might remember. Deila thinks that Celtic chances a nasty blunder if they don’t perform on that level against the Azeri champions.

He said, “When you get bigger tasks you step it up and the players will do that. So we need to be at our Inter Milan level. Qarabag are a very good team. They beat Twente Enschede in the Europa League qualifiers and did well in the group. It’s a difficult draw but you can’t think like that and we have to take what is coming in front of us. We know we are good enough. But we have to be at our best and at least we are at home first. That will be an important game.”

Express.co.uk: Stefan Johansen warns Celtic that Champions League tie won’t be easy

 
Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen has some experience of Azeri football. He met the Azerbaijan national football team twice while playing for Norway, as Scandinavian experts of gambling facts might remember. He recalls the outings as tough matches, however he expects Celtic to beat Quarabag in the first leg of their respective Champions League qualifier.

The 26-year-old said, “Qarabag have a few Brazilians and a Spanish guy and it’s difficult to say what they’ll be like because I haven’t seen enough of them. But their national team played with fight, they played hard. It’s never easy to go there. The national team played very physically and it was a tough game for us but I think we can get a good result.”

He pointed out that Baku will be a tricky venue to play. Celtic chances are good, but it won’t be smooth. He expressed, “It’s always tough, especially in Europe, to go away and play, but I’m confident we can go there and get a good result. Home is where we need to build the result. We had a 2-0 win to go away with last week to Stjarnan and you always know if you get the away goal then it’s more or less secure.”

Dailymail.co.uk: Champions League prestige more important than £20million qualification windfall, insists Celtic manager Ronny Deila

 
Ronny Deila said that the prestige of reaching the group stages of the Champions League is far more important for him and his players than the GBP 20 million it would bring to Celtic. The Norwegian manager would like to use the benefits of reaching the group stage to cement the Hoops’ place in sports scores news as Champions League regulars.

Deila said, “It is the same as with the players – you don’t get money out of thinking always about money. You have to love the game and you have to love to train, and then the money will come. This is what I say to my players. If you want to think always about wanting to be rich, you won’t get it. You have to be the best in something – and that is how it is in football.”

Discussing Celtic chances he added, “It is about what happens on the pitch, it is about everything. The money is nothing compared with the experience – but when you do well everything gets higher. So yes, the prestige is more priceless than the money – but there are positives in the second one, as well. It helps the club get more secure and we can build even more.”

Scottish champions Celtic prepares for the first leg in the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Azeri league-winners FK Quarabag.

Quarabag is not a well-known name amongst European football fans, however, with a trip to the Caucasus Celtic chances an unpleasant surprise. As Celtic are considered as firm favourites before the first leg, they should try to build as big an advantage as possible to ensure themselves a relaxed week before the reverse fixture. Celtic to beat Quarabag is priced at 1.44 (4/9) by Bet365.

Draw is available at 4.20 (16/5) while the Azeris are 7.50 (13/2) underdogs at the same online betting destination. Celtic are 1.33 (1/3) favourites to advance while a Quarabag aggregate victory is offered with odds of 3.25 (9/4). Celtic with a -1 handicap is priced at 2.30 (13/10) by Bet365, and the Bhoys’ half time/full time success pays at 2.20 (6/5). Celtic chances to beat Quarabag by two goals is a fancy option, available at 4.33 (10/3).

Dailyrecord.co.uk: Ronny Deila says Celtic must ‘step it up’ to keep Champions League dream on track

 
Norwegian boss Ronny Deila expressed that the best European performance is needed from Celtic to beat Quarabag. The Celts are facing the Azeri side in the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Deila insists that Celtic will need their best form to reach the play-off round against the tricky opposition from Baku.

The Bhoys showed their best European displays most recently against Internazionale in the knockout phase of the Champions League earlier this year, as many of those who follow live sports results might remember. Deila thinks that Celtic chances a nasty blunder if they don’t perform on that level against the Azeri champions.

He said, “When you get bigger tasks you step it up and the players will do that. So we need to be at our Inter Milan level. Qarabag are a very good team. They beat Twente Enschede in the Europa League qualifiers and did well in the group. It’s a difficult draw but you can’t think like that and we have to take what is coming in front of us. We know we are good enough. But we have to be at our best and at least we are at home first. That will be an important game.”

Express.co.uk: Stefan Johansen warns Celtic that Champions League tie won’t be easy

 
Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen has some experience of Azeri football. He met the Azerbaijan national football team twice while playing for Norway, as Scandinavian experts of gambling facts might remember. He recalls the outings as tough matches, however he expects Celtic to beat Quarabag in the first leg of their respective Champions League qualifier.

The 26-year-old said, “Qarabag have a few Brazilians and a Spanish guy and it’s difficult to say what they’ll be like because I haven’t seen enough of them. But their national team played with fight, they played hard. It’s never easy to go there. The national team played very physically and it was a tough game for us but I think we can get a good result.”

He pointed out that Baku will be a tricky venue to play. Celtic chances are good, but it won’t be smooth. He expressed, “It’s always tough, especially in Europe, to go away and play, but I’m confident we can go there and get a good result. Home is where we need to build the result. We had a 2-0 win to go away with last week to Stjarnan and you always know if you get the away goal then it’s more or less secure.”

Dailymail.co.uk: Champions League prestige more important than £20million qualification windfall, insists Celtic manager Ronny Deila

 
Ronny Deila said that the prestige of reaching the group stages of the Champions League is far more important for him and his players than the GBP 20 million it would bring to Celtic. The Norwegian manager would like to use the benefits of reaching the group stage to cement the Hoops’ place in sports scores news as Champions League regulars.

Deila said, “It is the same as with the players – you don’t get money out of thinking always about money. You have to love the game and you have to love to train, and then the money will come. This is what I say to my players. If you want to think always about wanting to be rich, you won’t get it. You have to be the best in something – and that is how it is in football.”

Discussing Celtic chances he added, “It is about what happens on the pitch, it is about everything. The money is nothing compared with the experience – but when you do well everything gets higher. So yes, the prestige is more priceless than the money – but there are positives in the second one, as well. It helps the club get more secure and we can build even more.”

The reverse fixtures in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers are scheduled to this week.
 
Wednesday brings some interesting matches for those, who like to bet on live sports results.
Though Lech Poznan fans might be terrified looking at Sarajevo’s results from last year, it would be surprising if the Poles would be unable to force their way to the next round. Celtic are also favourites against Stjarnan from Iceland. The biggest issue of the Scots expected to be the artificial grass, which might prevent them from fluid play. A galore of goals is not expected from them, but their advance looks safe.The New Saints will have quite a task against the Hungarian champions. Videoton has a 1-0 lead from the first leg, they play at home and will feature all of their foreign players who had visa problems last week. Dundalk will have a chance to upset BATE, so if you fancy football surprises, the Irish might provide you one.

UEFA.com: Guide to the Champions League second legs

 
Michael Wilde leads New Saints’ all-time scoring chart in the Welsh Premier League. As some of those, who follow sports scores in the UK might know, he was also top scorer in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers after the first three games. He bagged his three goals against B36 Tórshavn, however TNS might use another couple to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Videoton in Hungary in the second leg of the second qualifying round.

Dundalk is looking for an upset against BATE Borisov. The Irish champions registered a 2-1 away defeat in the first leg in Belarus. David McMillan scored Dundalk’s precious away goal then, and the forward sees a chance for overturning the fixture. He said, “They won’t fancy coming to Oriel Park. We are confident now.” He added, “It was important that we didn’t concede late in the game the other night. A lot of Irish teams would have done that in the past.”

Sarajevo is travelling to Poland with a two-goal deficit to take on Lech Poznan. As the Bosnians were able to register two 3-1 away wins twelve months ago, they might have a shot at advancing this year too. Midfielder Samir Radovac said, “Last season we played better as guests. Let’s hope that’s the case this season too,” gambling news report.

Kazakhstani champions Astana have to overcome only one goal against Maribor at home. The hosts’ line-up will expectedly feature goalkeeper Nenad Eric, who was out in Slovenia last week due to injury. Manager Stanimir Stoilov said, “We need to act wisely and we need the support of the crowd until the very last second.” He added, “Though the first-leg of The Champions League qualifiers result leaves us in a very difficult situation, we played a good game in Maribor and the lads did well.”

Goal.com: Stjarnan – Celtic Preview: Scots hope to avoid slip-up on plastic pitch

 
Celtic won the first leg in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Stjarnan. Ronny Deila’s team is obviously favourite to advance against the champions of Iceland. However, they have to perform well on an artificial playing surface at Stjornuvollur, which will be strange for the Bhoys.

Stjarnan got a lot of criticism for the quality of their turf last year from Motherwell manager Stuart McCall. The Icelanders were able to eliminate the Scottish side in the Europa League qualifiers last summer. Celtic players are in a cheerful mood though, after beating Spanish outfit Eibar 4-1 in a preseason friendly at the weekend, online mobile news report.

Leigh Griffiths, who missed a penalty against Stjarnan last week, scored three against Eibar. He said, “It [the Eibar game] was a good test for us going into Wednesday night. We got the win last Wednesday, but I don’t think we played as well as we could have and we showed against Eibar what we’re all about. I got 90 minutes so I’m feeling sharp, but it’s a different kettle of fish on Wednesday night with the Champions League Qualifiers.”

Meanwhile Stjarnan struggles in Urvalsdeild, the Icelandic top tier, being 10 points behind leaders KR. Manager Runar Pall Sigmundsson thinks that the bad conversion of chances is the main reason of his team underperforming. He said, “We have been dominating games, but we are not taking our chances and it ends up costing us. We have to improve in future games, starting against Celtic.”

The reverse fixtures in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers are scheduled to this week.
 
Wednesday brings some interesting matches for those, who like to bet on live sports results.
Though Lech Poznan fans might be terrified looking at Sarajevo’s results from last year, it would be surprising if the Poles would be unable to force their way to the next round. Celtic are also favourites against Stjarnan from Iceland. The biggest issue of the Scots expected to be the artificial grass, which might prevent them from fluid play. A galore of goals is not expected from them, but their advance looks safe.The New Saints will have quite a task against the Hungarian champions. Videoton has a 1-0 lead from the first leg, they play at home and will feature all of their foreign players who had visa problems last week. Dundalk will have a chance to upset BATE, so if you fancy football surprises, the Irish might provide you one.

UEFA.com: Guide to the Champions League second legs

 
Michael Wilde leads New Saints’ all-time scoring chart in the Welsh Premier League. As some of those, who follow sports scores in the UK might know, he was also top scorer in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers after the first three games. He bagged his three goals against B36 Tórshavn, however TNS might use another couple to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Videoton in Hungary in the second leg of the second qualifying round.

Dundalk is looking for an upset against BATE Borisov. The Irish champions registered a 2-1 away defeat in the first leg in Belarus. David McMillan scored Dundalk’s precious away goal then, and the forward sees a chance for overturning the fixture. He said, “They won’t fancy coming to Oriel Park. We are confident now.” He added, “It was important that we didn’t concede late in the game the other night. A lot of Irish teams would have done that in the past.”

Sarajevo is travelling to Poland with a two-goal deficit to take on Lech Poznan. As the Bosnians were able to register two 3-1 away wins twelve months ago, they might have a shot at advancing this year too. Midfielder Samir Radovac said, “Last season we played better as guests. Let’s hope that’s the case this season too,” gambling news report.

Kazakhstani champions Astana have to overcome only one goal against Maribor at home. The hosts’ line-up will expectedly feature goalkeeper Nenad Eric, who was out in Slovenia last week due to injury. Manager Stanimir Stoilov said, “We need to act wisely and we need the support of the crowd until the very last second.” He added, “Though the first-leg of The Champions League qualifiers result leaves us in a very difficult situation, we played a good game in Maribor and the lads did well.”

Goal.com: Stjarnan – Celtic Preview: Scots hope to avoid slip-up on plastic pitch

 
Celtic won the first leg in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Stjarnan. Ronny Deila’s team is obviously favourite to advance against the champions of Iceland. However, they have to perform well on an artificial playing surface at Stjornuvollur, which will be strange for the Bhoys.

Stjarnan got a lot of criticism for the quality of their turf last year from Motherwell manager Stuart McCall. The Icelanders were able to eliminate the Scottish side in the Europa League qualifiers last summer. Celtic players are in a cheerful mood though, after beating Spanish outfit Eibar 4-1 in a preseason friendly at the weekend, online mobile news report.

Leigh Griffiths, who missed a penalty against Stjarnan last week, scored three against Eibar. He said, “It [the Eibar game] was a good test for us going into Wednesday night. We got the win last Wednesday, but I don’t think we played as well as we could have and we showed against Eibar what we’re all about. I got 90 minutes so I’m feeling sharp, but it’s a different kettle of fish on Wednesday night with the Champions League Qualifiers.”

Meanwhile Stjarnan struggles in Urvalsdeild, the Icelandic top tier, being 10 points behind leaders KR. Manager Runar Pall Sigmundsson thinks that the bad conversion of chances is the main reason of his team underperforming. He said, “We have been dominating games, but we are not taking our chances and it ends up costing us. We have to improve in future games, starting against Celtic.”

Teams participating in the first round of the UEFA Europa League will have to start their campaign as early as July 2 with the reverse fixture scheduled to a week later. Those sides beginning their campaign in the second round of the UEFA Champions League will play their first game in the middle of July. West Ham United, the first placed team in the English fair play ranking will return to European football after an eight-year long absence, while Celtic, the Scottish champions, who not so long ago started the European competition in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, will enter in the second qualifying round this term.

 

BBC.com: Celtic face Icelandic side Stjarnan in Champions League qualifying

 

Celtic, the champions of the Scottish Premier League will start its 2015-2016 European campaign in the second qualifying round of the Champions League in the middle of July, online gambling news reported. As keen followers of sports scores might remember, the Hoops failed to make it into the group stages last year after being eliminated by Maribor.

Now the Bhoys will entertain Icelandic champions Stjarnan, while West Ham United, the other British side involved in the early stages of the competition, will face FC Lusitans from Andorra in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. West Ham, the side that finished twelfth in the English Premier League gained qualification through their Fair Play record.

The Hammers will start the campaign with their new boss Slaven Bilic as early as July 2. After a clash of fixtures between the two Andorran sides occurred, the initial schedule was reversed, so West Ham will play the first game home at Upton Park before travelling to Andorra a week later.

 

TheStar.com: West Ham kick off season against Andorran minnows

 

The draw of the Europa League qualifying was held on Monday in Nyon, Switzerland. West Ham United were paired with FC Lusitans from Andorra in the first round, and the Hammers will kick off their campaign at the beginning of July, five weeks before the start of the Premier League.

Those with an adept knowledge of gambling facts might recall that West Ham participated in the competition last time in the 2006-07 season. Now they will play in Andorra at Camp d’Esports d’Aixoval, a 1,000 capacity stadium. Andorra’s other team in Europe, Sant Julia will entertain Randers from Denmark in the first round.

England was ranked first by the UEFA fair play system and that provided them an extra place in the competition that went to West Ham, the team that came first in the English first-tier’s fair play ranking. 102 teams participated in the draw and the former European Cup winner Red Star from Belgrade will also enter in the first round travelling to Central Asia to visit Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan.

 

UEFA.com: Qualifying round draws: best of the reaction

 

After the draw for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers was held in Nyon, Switzerland, the teams’ representatives spoke about their upcoming opponents. Icelandic champions Stjarnan will play against Celtic after they eliminated Motherwell in the Europa League qualifiers last year, as keen followers of live sports results might remember.

“We have mixed feelings,” said Stjarnan defender Daniel Laxdal. “It is great to meet Celtic but I think they are the most difficult team we could have met. We saw them against KR last year and know it will be hard work in defence. Last season we showed anything is possible if we are at our best so hopefully we can do something similar. Celtic will start their season against us and that might help a little but we are up against a great team.”

Celtic FC assistant manager John Kennedy commented the draw via his social media account. He expressed that all pressure is on Celtic, and this situation might suit the Icelandic underdogs. He added, “We have to make sure we go in fully prepared and we win the game. That’s the most important thing.”

Teams participating in the first round of the UEFA Europa League will have to start their campaign as early as July 2 with the reverse fixture scheduled to a week later. Those sides beginning their campaign in the second round of the UEFA Champions League will play their first game in the middle of July. West Ham United, the first placed team in the English fair play ranking will return to European football after an eight-year long absence, while Celtic, the Scottish champions, who not so long ago started the European competition in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, will enter in the second qualifying round this term.

 

BBC.com: Celtic face Icelandic side Stjarnan in Champions League qualifying

 

Celtic, the champions of the Scottish Premier League will start its 2015-2016 European campaign in the second qualifying round of the Champions League in the middle of July, online gambling news reported. As keen followers of sports scores might remember, the Hoops failed to make it into the group stages last year after being eliminated by Maribor.

Now the Bhoys will entertain Icelandic champions Stjarnan, while West Ham United, the other British side involved in the early stages of the competition, will face FC Lusitans from Andorra in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. West Ham, the side that finished twelfth in the English Premier League gained qualification through their Fair Play record.

The Hammers will start the campaign with their new boss Slaven Bilic as early as July 2. After a clash of fixtures between the two Andorran sides occurred, the initial schedule was reversed, so West Ham will play the first game home at Upton Park before travelling to Andorra a week later.

 

TheStar.com: West Ham kick off season against Andorran minnows

 

The draw of the Europa League qualifying was held on Monday in Nyon, Switzerland. West Ham United were paired with FC Lusitans from Andorra in the first round, and the Hammers will kick off their campaign at the beginning of July, five weeks before the start of the Premier League.

Those with an adept knowledge of gambling facts might recall that West Ham participated in the competition last time in the 2006-07 season. Now they will play in Andorra at Camp d’Esports d’Aixoval, a 1,000 capacity stadium. Andorra’s other team in Europe, Sant Julia will entertain Randers from Denmark in the first round.

England was ranked first by the UEFA fair play system and that provided them an extra place in the competition that went to West Ham, the team that came first in the English first-tier’s fair play ranking. 102 teams participated in the draw and the former European Cup winner Red Star from Belgrade will also enter in the first round travelling to Central Asia to visit Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan.

 

UEFA.com: Qualifying round draws: best of the reaction

 

After the draw for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers was held in Nyon, Switzerland, the teams’ representatives spoke about their upcoming opponents. Icelandic champions Stjarnan will play against Celtic after they eliminated Motherwell in the Europa League qualifiers last year, as keen followers of live sports results might remember.

“We have mixed feelings,” said Stjarnan defender Daniel Laxdal. “It is great to meet Celtic but I think they are the most difficult team we could have met. We saw them against KR last year and know it will be hard work in defence. Last season we showed anything is possible if we are at our best so hopefully we can do something similar. Celtic will start their season against us and that might help a little but we are up against a great team.”

Celtic FC assistant manager John Kennedy commented the draw via his social media account. He expressed that all pressure is on Celtic, and this situation might suit the Icelandic underdogs. He added, “We have to make sure we go in fully prepared and we win the game. That’s the most important thing.”