Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Linfield vs. TNS

Soligorsk vs. Maribor (Wednesday, 6.00pm)

With the tie delicately poised following a goalless stalemate in the first leg, Shakhtyor Soligorsk and Maribor renew hostilities for the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying battle on Wednesday night.

Either Sheriff Tiraspol or Zrinjski will await the victors in the second round, and history is there to be made for the Belarusian champions.

We say: Shakhtyor Soligorsk 1-1 Maribor (A.E.T - Maribor to win on penalties)

Finding the right defensive formula at home has not been an issue for Shakhtyor Soligorsk over the past few weeks, and advancing in the Champions League would at least make up for their early setbacks in defending their Belarusian title.

One can expect Tashuev's men to once again frustrate their more revered visitors, who may have to rely on penalties to avoid being knocked out in the first round for the first time ever.

Dinamo Batumi vs. Slovan Bratislava (Wednesday, 6.00pm)

The Batumi Stadium in Georgia welcomes Dinamo Batumi and Slovan Bratislava for the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying tie on Wednesday night.

Gia Geguchadze's side impressively managed to hold the Slovakian champions to a draw in the first leg, despite going down to 10 men before the break.

We say: Dinamo Batumi 1-0 Slovan Bratislava (Dinamo Batumi win 1-0 on aggregate)

One may have expected Slovan Bratislava's European experience to see them over the line in the first leg, but Weiss's side - who also flattered to deceive in pre-season - had no answer to their opponents' defensive resilience.

Dinamo Batumi's magnificent unbeaten streak at home makes the Slovakian champions' task even harder, and we can envisage Geguchadze's side holding firm once again to celebrate new-found European success in front of their own fans.

Ferencvaros vs. Tobol (Wednesday, 7.00pm)

Ferencvaros and Tobol will lock horns in the second leg of their Champions League first qualifying round contest on Wednesday evening, with the tie delicately poised at 0-0.

Neither side could find the back of the net in the first leg last week, but reigning Hungarian champions Ferencvaros will be the favourites to advance on home soil.

We say: Ferencvaros 2-1 Tobol

Tobol more than held their own in the first leg last week, but it is a big ask for them to triumph on Wednesday night. We are expecting it to be a tight affair but believe that Ferencvaros will ultimately have too much and are backing the Hungarian side to advance to the second qualifying round.

CFR Cluj vs. Pyunik (Wednesday, 7.30pm)

CFR Cluj and FC Pyunik reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying battle after no goals were to be had in the opening encounter.

The winners of this showdown will advance to face either F91 Dudelange or Tirana in the second round later this month.

We say: CFR Cluj 2-0 FC Pyunik (Cluj win 2-0 on aggregate)

Pyunik's 5-4-1 setup serves them incredibly well defensively, but it is difficult to pinpoint where the goals may come from in the visitors' ranks, in spite of their recent hot streak on the road.

Cluj will have a number of their senior players well-rested after Petrescu rotated for the weekend's unsuccessful Super Cup exploits, and the Romanian champions will expect to get the job done with the home crowd behind them.

Linfield vs. New Saints (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

With their first qualifying round tie still in the balance, Linfield and The New Saints meet at Windsor Park on Wednesday night, aiming to reach the next stage of the Champions League.

The Welsh champions lead by a goal ahead of the second leg, after which the winners will advance to a second round encounter with either Norway's Bodo/Glimt or Faroese outfit KI; the losers being consigned to the Europa Conference League.

We say: Linfield 2-1 The New Saints (2-2 on aggregate; Linfield win after extra time and penalties)

The first leg result leaves this tie perfectly balanced, and there is every chance the game will go to extra time - particularly without the defunct away goals rule.

Linfield were denied by some sharp goalkeeping last Tuesday, but the support of the Windsor Park faithful can spur them on to score more than once. It may ultimately take spot-kicks to decide which side progresses, though.