Neither Skenderbeu or Dinamo Zagreb will be lifting the Champions League trophy next May but a massive opportunity for both on Wednesday to set the foundations for qualification to the group stage and the favourites might not have things all their own way.
The Croatian champions make the short trip to Albania to play the unheralded hosts but they should not be underestimated and I think Skenderbeu can make an impact.
Dinamo are no bigger than 2/11 to prove too good over two legs and just 19/20 to establish a first leg lead. However, both of those prices look prohibitive to me, especially Wednesday’s match odds offering, and I am taking them on.
Dinamo have already played six times domestically this term and, while unbeaten, have been held three times. Three draws in four Champions League ties against substandard opposition hardly inspire much confidence either and they are there to be shot at.
Wednesday’s visitors required a greater number of away goals over 180 minutes to see off Molde in the previous round while Luxembourg minnows Fola Esch held the Croats in front of their own fans before succumbing in the second leg.
Clearly Zagreb are the more likely winners in midweek but Skenderbeu are to be feared in Korce where Crusaders and Milsami have already been dispatched in this competition.
Having missed out to BATE only on away goals this time 12 months ago in the Champions League, Miral Josa’s men went on to claim their fifth consecutive Superliga title and they’ve not tasted top flight defeat at home since last May.
That run of 18 matches did not feature any side of the calibre of Dinamo but it will have provided the underdogs with plenty of confidence ahead of the upcoming clash and I like the form lines with Borisov.
At odds on, I need little convincing to lay the away side who will look to Armin Hodzic to continue his blistering start to the campaign. However, this is a fairly youthful squad at Dinamo manager Zoran Manic’s disposal and Albania is no holiday for visiting Croats.
3pts Lay Dinamo Zagreb (vs. Skenderbeu) @ 19/20 (Betfair)