UEFA Champions League Qualifying Odds & Picks – Playoff Leg 1 (August 17)

• UEFA Champions League qualifying playoffs begin on Tuesday with three matches
• Red Salzburg are massive favorites against visiting Brondby, while slumping Monaco takes on Shakhtar Donetsk, and surprising Sheriff Tiraspol welcome Dinamo Zagreb as underdogs
• We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends as the 2021/2022 Champions League continues

The playoff round of UEFA Champions League qualifying playoff kicks off on Tuesday with three matches. FC Red Bull Salzburg aim to maintain the form that has fueled their undefeated start in Austrian league play and host Denmark’s Brondby IF as heavy -600 favorites. Conversely, AS Monaco look to reverse their early-season struggles as they battle Shakhtar Donetsk as -150 home chalk, while FC Sheriff Tiraspol try to continue the march to their first-ever berth in the UCL group stage as they host Dinamo Zagreb as lengthy +370 underdogs.

Here’s a look at all the odds, trends, and best bets as UEFA Champions League qualifying playoff action gets underway.

UEFA Champions League Playoff Leg 1 Odds

Odds at DraftKings as of August 16, 2021

Salzburg vs Brondby Prediction

It has been a red-hot start to the new season for Salzburg. The club has powered to a 4-0-0 start in Austrian Bundesliga action, and suffered just two defeats in 26 outings across all competitions since the beginning of March. The club has been particularly dominant on home turf, where they currently enjoy a 14-1-1 run. And in addition to going undefeated in 10 straight league contests at home, the Red Bulls have also enjoyed success in friendlies against top flight competition, knocking off the likes of FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in recent friendlies. Teen sensation Karim-David Adeyami has powered the attack for Salzburg, scoring six times over his past six overall appearances, including the match winner in last month’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Karim Adeyemi ist einer wie David Alaba – nur schneller und torgefährlicher https://t.co/xPCuLLZlF8 pic.twitter.com/O6WgVvNmjO

— SN aktuell (@sn_aktuell) April 19, 2021

Conversely, it has been a tough summer for IF Brondby, who look to Tuesday’s contest as lengthy +1500 underdogs. Fresh off their first Danish Superliga championship win last spring, Bronby have failed to earn a victory through the first five matches of the new campaign, and have potted just eight total goals while failing to earn a win in their past seven across all competitions.

Now making their first Champions League appearance since 2005, Tuesday’s contest marks Brondby’s first date with a non-Danish opponent since settling for a 1-1 draw in a visit to Crystal Palace last September. The club managed to earn wins in two of three matches in last year’s Atlantic Cup, which marks their most recent appearance in competitive action on the European stage. However, it is tough seeing them keeping it close in Salzburg on Tuesday.

The Pick: Salzburg -2.5 (+125)

Monaco vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction

Monaco look to extend their early success in their first UCL appearance in three years in what is likely to be challenging clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. Les Monégasques easily disposed of Sparta Prague in third qualifying round action, tallying a pair of multi-goal victories to put the brakes on a 14-match winless streak at this tournament. However, the club has otherwise faltered, going winless in their past three Ligue 1 contests, capped by last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Lorient, who narrowly avoided relegation last spring.

Lorient 1-0 Monaco
There it is! The first home win of this ligue 1 campaign, and it s a surprise!
Kovac's men just could not break the deadlock despite 73% ball possession.
Lorient win against Monaco for the 1st time since 2014.
5 points dropped already for Ben Yedder's team

— The French Football Podcast (@FrFootballPod) August 13, 2021

Listed as +400 underdogs in Tuesday’s matchup, Shakhtar Donetsk travel to Monaco on a high after posted wins in five of their past six contests across all competitions. Sparked by an impressive second-half comeback in the first leg, the club knocked off Genk by a 4-2 aggregate score in third qualifying round action, and have also won seven of their past nine on the road. With Monaco struggling, timing may now be on Shakhtar’s side to seize the momentum in this matchup

The Picks: Shakhtar Donetsk +0.5 (+110); BTTS Yes (-120)

Sheriff Tiraspol vs Dinamo Zagreb Prediction

After shocking Red Star Belgrade in third qualifying round action, Sheriff Tiraspol aim to continue their unlikely Champions League run against Dinamo Zagreb. The Moldovan side is currently enjoying a 7-1-0 run with six of those victories coming in UCL play, and have outscored opponents by a wide 11-2 margin through their first seven UCL contests.

One of the craziest stories in European football this season.
Sheriff Tiraspol, the champion of the poorest country in Europe – Moldova – is through to the Champions League playoffs. This means they are very close to qualify for the group stage. pic.twitter.com/dt8ZaIKFS7

— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) August 10, 2021

Listed as -110 road chalk on Tuesday, Dinamo Zagreb have impressed while suffering just one defeat in their past 24 overall matches, and have surrendered just one total goal over their past five Champions League outings. Dinamo have also emerged as road warriors, posting six straight shutout victories. They also kept clean sheets while posting wins in each of their past four meetings with Sheriff, all in Champions League play. Look for that trend to continue on Tuesday.

The Pick: Dinamo Zagreb (-110)