Two picks for Tuesday

Here we have two picks from Champions League qualifiers on 19/07/2011.

First game takes place in Lithuania, Panevezys between Ekranas and Valletta.

First match in Malta finished 3-2 to Ekranas. They started the game in very high tempo, scored 3 goals in 35 minutes and later felt a little bit tired because of very high temperature in Malta, and conceided two goals, second one in the last minute from penalty spot.

Overall Ekranas was far superior Maltese champions and I do not expect they will have any problems to finish tie in they favour. It is not so often Lithuanian teams pass through to third round, and after win in first match they are really focused of finishing job at home.

Ekranas could play against winner of  BATE/Linfield tie in next round, which I would call one of the easier possible opponents. All the players are fit and ready to play.

Maltese team flew to Lithuania on Sunday, they do not have any injury problems too. 

Odds on home win are bigger than I expected and I will take Ekranas to win by two goals or more.

Second game will be played in Azerbaijan between Neftci and Dynamo Zagreb.

First match in Zagreb was won by Croatian champions 3-0, but it wasn't one way traffic. Yes, Zagreb was better team and full stadium with passionate supporters gave them a big lift. But in Azerbaijan I expect teams to swap places. Neftci have some quality players and they are not giving up yet. They manager even promised to go through to the next round.

Croatians are not so good playing away, in last two seasons they managed to draw with even weaker opponents like Piunik from Armenia and Sheriff from Moldova. 

They travelled to game without one of they main defenders argentinian Leandro Cufre.

I expect Neftci to attack from first minute as they have nothing to lose and expect them to win, but instead will take safer option - Neftci +0.5.

6 units Ekranas -1.5@2 paddypower

7 units Neftci +0.5@2 unibet

Good luck!