Sturm Graz and Club Brugge collide on Wednesday night desperate for points in the battle to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League.
After losing to Brest and Borussia Dortmund respectively on Matchday 1, another defeat in the revamped group stage could prove to be a hammer blow.
The sides finishing in the top eight in the 36-team league will be rewarded with a place in the last 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th face a two-legged play-off to advance.
As the remaining sides will be eliminated from European competition instead of dropping into the Europa League, bosses Christian Ilzer and Nicky Hayen know they cannot afford to fall too far behind the pacesetters.
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Sturm Graz vs Club Brugge
Wednesday, October 2, 8pm, TNT Sports
Merkur Arena, Graz
Sturm Graz vs Club Brugge Preview
Sitting top of the table in Austria, Sturm Graz are enjoying a strong start to the season.
Ilzer’s side picked up 16 points from their first eight league games but failed to take their impressive form into the Champions League clash with Brest.
After winning five on the spin in all competitions, the visitors slipped to a 2-1 defeat and ended the match with 10 men when Dimitri Lavalee was given his marching orders late on.
Club Brugge picked up a solitary point from their opening three fixtures in the Belgian Pro League before claiming four wins in a row.
But they were left deflated by a 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Dortmund and have failed to win since, with a defeat and a draw doing little to rebuild confidence.
Recent form suggests a home win may well be on the cards.
Latest Champions League Betting Odds
*All odds are subject to change
While it would arguably suit neither side, a draw represents good value at 3.41 and would at least get them off the mark. The odds also suggest there is little to separate the teams, with a home win priced at 2.80 and an away victory coming in at 2.49.
Sturm Graz vs Club Brugge Betting Tips
Gustaf Nilsson has netted three goals in the Pro League this term and will be keen to open his Champions League account for Club Brugge.
The Swede is a tasty 6.80 in the first goalscorer market but Mika Biereth, priced at 6.90, may be a better bet to break the deadlock. The Sturm Graz hitman has netted five goals in all competitions so far this term.
Bet Builder Quick Bets: Mike Biereth to score anytime, Sturm Graz to win & over 1.5 goals
Goals have not been hard to come by for either side and Biereth, who was born in London, would love to enhance his reputation by netting in European football’s elite competition.
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