Champions League qualifiers tips: Larne and TNS face uphill battle, Sheriff Tiraspol to impress
Larne striker Leroy Millar
Planet Sport takes a close look at Wednesday's Champions League qualifying matches.
Champions League qualifying action continues on Wednesday with five matches taking place across the continent.
Here, Planet Sport picks out a tip in each match as we put together a tasty Wednesday night accumulator.
FC Astana (KAZ) vs Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)
Since their Champions League group stage appearance in 2019/20, FC Astana have failed to make a mark on the continent.
For three straight seasons the Kazakhstan champions have stumbled in qualifying, winning just one of their last eight matches.
Standing in their way this Wednesday is a Dinamo Tbilisi side who have endured far more European heartbreaks.
The Georgian outfit haven't qualified for a group stage of a UEFA competition since 2004/05. In fact, Dinamo have only managed to win one qualifying tie in the last three years.
On paper, Astana are better equipped for this challenge. What's more, they've won their last seven home matches. We don't expect that to change.
Tip: FC Astana to win
HJK (FIN) vs Larne (NIR)
Northern Irish club Larne endured European humiliation last season as they were knocked out in the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League by Gibraltar side St Joseph's.
Twelve months on, and with a Northern Irish title to their name, Tiernan Lynch's men will be looking to make an impact in the Champions League qualifiers.
Unfortunately for the minnows, their chances of progression are slim as they travel to Finland to take on HJK.
The Finns competed in the Europa League group stage last season and tested themselves against AS Roma, Real Betis and Ludogorets.
With experience, quality and home advantage all in HJK's favour, the tip writes itself.
Tip: HJK to win
BK Hacken (SWE) vs The New Saints (WAL)
Considering The New Saints are 15-time Welsh champions, it's fair to say they have plenty of experience when it comes to the first qualifying round of the Champions League.
Unfortunately for the Welsh side, that experience largely consists of losing. That's certainly applicable in recent years as TNS have lost three of their last four first round UCL qualifying ties.
Hacken, on the other hand, are preparing for their first shot of Champions League football after winning their maiden Swedish title.
Due to the Swedish football calendar, the Wasps have been playing competitive football for months and they're battling hard to defend their domestic crown.
With that in mind, the Swedish outfit shouldn't have too many problems against the Welsh underdogs.
Tip: BK Hacken to win
Farul Constanta (ROM) vs FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MOL)
Sheriff Tiraspol are serious European players. Two seasons ago, the Moldovan champions qualified for the UCL group stage and beat Real Madrid.
Last year, the club competed in the Europa League group stage and ended their continental campaign in the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League.
While Farul Constanta deserve to be respected, our recommendation is to back the vastly more experienced Sheriff to maintain the law in Romania.
Slovan Bratislava (SVK) vs Swift Hesperange (LUX)
Slovan Bratislava have enjoyed themselves on the continent in recent years.
Following their run to the Europa League group stage in 2019/20, the Slovakian outfit have since qualified - and thrived - in the newly created Europa Conference League.
Last season, the club won their group in the competition before going out in the knockout stage following penalty heartbreak against FC Basel.
Swift Hesperange will be attempting to stop Slovan in their tracks, though that does seem rather unlikely.
The Luxembourg outfit have limited European experience and traveling away to Slovakia will not be easy.
