This week we take a look at midweek clashes with UEFA Champions League and Europa League qualifiers.
We also take a look forward to the weekend with tips for Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid and Newcastle vs Manchester City.
Glasgow Rangers 13/8 | Draw 23/10 | PSV Eindhoven 17/10 – Tipping Point 16-21 August 2022
Rangers’ journey back to the Champions League has been a long and hard one, but this is the closest they’ve been since losing the Europa League final that could have guaranteed them a spot in the premium European competition.
They faced a stern test against Royale Union Saint Gilloise from Belgium in the qualifying round, coming from two goals down in the first leg to win 3-2 on aggregate after an incredible performance at Ibrox.
PSV had a trickier fixture against AS Monaco and won thanks to a Luuk de Jong strike in extra time. PSV were very open in this game, Monaco managed to create 30 goal-scoring chances, but only registered seven on target. Both these sides have got off to perfect starts in their respective leagues, collecting maximum points available and both seem to have a knack for goal.
Conclusion: I’m expecting an exciting open game. I’m backing a win for Rangers and over 3 goals @ 5/4.
Dynamo Kyiv 15/4 | Draw 14/5 | SL Benfica 4/6 – Tipping Point 16-21 August 2022
Both these sides have been playing an exciting brand of football and have made it to the final stage of qualifying for the UCL.
The home side swept aside SK Sturm Graz in the third qualifying round while Benfica thrashed Midtjylland with Goncalo Ramos scoring a hattrick.
Benfica has been in great form in Liga Portugal too, collecting maximum points from their opening two games, scoring five goals in the process.
Conclusion: I’m backing a win for Benfica.
FC Zurich 77/100 | Draw 13/5 | Hearts 29/10 – Tipping Point 16-21 August 2022
Hearts couldn’t have asked for a better clash than this for their Europa League playoff.
The home side is winless in the opening five games in the Swiss Super League, with three defeats and two draws to their name.
Hearts, on the other hand, have done well to keep up with Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, albeit only two games in.
Playing in Europe could give Hearts the added financial boost they need to try to compete with Celtic and Rangers. They’ve scored seven goals three times in three games so far in three games, collecting two wins and a draw. If they take this form to their away clash, I don’t see why they can’t return with a positive result.
Conclusion: Double chance: Draw or Hearts win
Celta Vigo 3/1 | Draw 16/5 | Real Madrid 3/4 – Tipping Point 16-21 August 2022
LaLiga champions Real Madrid take on Celta Vigo for their second match of the season.
The current European champions got off to a slow start against Almeria, winning 2-1 despite 16 attempts on target.
Celta has begun their campaign with a draw and will be looking to build from it with a positive result at home against Real, it won’t be an easy task though judging by what happened last season.
In 2021/2022 season Real Madrid collected six points from Celta, and I don’t see them dropping many this season.
Conclusion: I would double chance this: draw or Real Madrid win.
Newcastle United 15/2 | Draw 15/4 | Manchester City 4/11 – Tipping Point 16-21 August 2022
After a perfect start that has seen the defending champions collect maximum points with six goals scored and none conceded, Manchester City face their first real test of the season when they visit Newcastle this Sunday.
Newcastle have been off to a good start this season, collecting four points from two games.
They lost 5-0 to City back in May but with a full pre-season under Eddie Howe and a few more additions to their squad, Newcastle will use this game to measure just how big the gap is between them now.
It will be interesting to see whether Newcastle will take the initiative to City or opt for a low block to hit on a counter with the pace of Allan Saint-Maximum, Miguel Almiron, and Callum Wilson.
While City hasn’t conceded this season, it’s fair to say their defense hasn’t faced much of a challenge so far, and this is a game where they could be tested.
Conclusion: I’m backing a Manchester City win and both teams to score @ 17/20
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Tipping Point 16-21 August 2022 Preview by Mcebo Mpungose
