The exciting wait for the group stage draw and the UEFA Champions League proper is nearly over now as the first half of our teams prepare to play the second leg of their final qualifier. Celtic look to be all but through after thrashing FC Astana of Kazakhstan 5-0 in the first leg, whilst a 0-2 deficit for Nice isn't necessarily insurmountable in what could be the game of the evening.
\r\n\r\nTodays playoff games
\r\n\r\n16:30 - FC Astana (0) vs (5) Celtic
\r\n19:45 - Rijeka (1) vs (2) Olympiakos
\r\n19:45 - Maribor (1) vs (2) Hapoel Be'er Sheva
\r\n19:45 - Sevilla (2) vs (1) Istanbul Basaksehir
\r\n19:45 - Napoli (2) vs (0) Nice
\r\n\r\nSome notable playoff betting trends
\r\n\r\n\r\n- In the last two seasons, 13 of the 20 sides to win the first leg have progressed.
\r\n- However, sides who have a lead on the first leg have only also won the second leg on just five occasions.
\r\n- 17 of the last 30 (56.6%) Champions League playoff second leg ties have featured at least three goals in the game.
\r\n- In the past two seasons, sides who failed to score in the first leg playoff scored in seven of eight in the second leg, but only two of those goals came for teams away from home.
\r\n\r\nAn unclimable mountain
\r\n\r\n16:30 - FC Astana (0) vs (5) Celtic
\r\nThere's no logical explanation for how FC Astana could even think about turning this game around against Celtic. Oddly enough, Celtic registered few more shots on target than goals they scored, and the Kazhak club looked like they potentially provide a must stiffer test that Rosenborg. It didn't materialize though, and you'd have to say this one is done and dusted in terms of qualification.
\r\n\r\n- Astana have never lost a home UCL tie, including results against Celtic, Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Galatasaray
\r\n- Celtic have won just four of their last 18 away UCL ties dating back to 2013
\r\n- Both teams have scored in eight of Astana's 11 UCL home games, but only three of Celtic's last 10
\r\n- No side has ever overturned a 5-0 first-leg deficit in Champions League qualifying
\r\n\r\nHas the damage been done?
\r\n\r\n19:45 - Nice (0) vs (2) Napoli
\r\nWe always hear that 2-0 is a dodgy score line, but perhaps it's even dodgier when you have another 90 minutes to play and you're away from home in front of a passionate home crowd. But Napoli will have all intentions of adding to their lead, and just one away goal might be enough to see them through. Nice overcame adversity in the last round when coming from behind to advance in Ajax.
\r\n\r\n- This is only Nice's second home UCL game. Napoli are far more experienced but have only won four of 12 UCL games when away
\r\n- Both teams have scored in 19 of Napoli's last 24 UCL games.
\r\n- Nice have only lost five times in their last 30 competitive home games, but two of those losses were in Europe
\r\n- Nice have started the season winning just once in six games including a loss to newly promoted Troyes
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