Champions League 2021-22 Playoff Round Picks August 17-18

The Champions League playoff round kicks off this week with teams nearly to the group stage of the tournament. Six games will take place in the playoff round with the winners of each match moving onto the group stage and the Champions League 2021-22 proper. 

Using the Soccer Buddy app, let’s look at the games ahead and predict the outcomes of some select matches in the Champions League 2021-22 Playoff Round.

Monaco vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

A big first-leg fixture comes to us from the Stade Louis II as Monaco host Shakhtar Donetsk. Both teams have started their domestic campaigns. Monaco have not done well in the French Ligue 1 drawing with Nantes and losing to Lorient.

They were two games Monaco should have and were expected to win. However, their focus is on making the Champions League group stage. Monaco defeated Sparta Prague in the Champions League third-qualifying round 5-1 on aggregate.

Shakhtar Donetsk came through the third qualifying round of the Champions League with a 4-2 aggregate win against Genk. Monaco are a stronger team, but Shakhtar will push the French team all the way. This is a difficult game to call.

Playing at home, Monaco should claim a victory in the first leg in an evenly matched fixture.

Result: Monaco to win

Red Bull Salzburg vs. Brondby

Red Bull Salzburg, the champions of Austria, enter the Champions League qualifying stage at the playoff round. Based on the firepower the Austrians have in the team, this is a simple prediction.

Salzburg score goals for fun. Ahead of Saturday’s game against Rapid Wien, Salzburg had outscored opponents in the Austria Bundesliga 10-2 over the course of two matches. Brondby may have won the Danish league last season, but they do not have the squad Salzburg do. This is an easy pick.

Result: Red Bull Salzburg to win

Benfica vs. PSV Eindhoven

This is the tie of the Champions League 2021-22 playoff round. Benfica are the giants of Portugal and PSV Eindhoven are one of the big three teams in the Netherlands.

PSV have started the season very strongly on all fronts. Roger Schmidt’s team entered the Champions League at the second qualifying round and have outscored their opponents 11-2 across four games in the tournament.

Benfica came into the tournament at the third qualifying round, so have played two fewer games in the Champions League. They defeated Spartak Moscow 4-0 on aggregate, claiming 2-0 wins in both legs of the tie. Spartak Moscow were very poor in the two legs, however. PSV Eindhoven will be strong.

Over the course of the two-legged series, I like PSV to go through as winners. However, Benfica are playing at home in the first leg, which should give them the upper hand. The Eagles should win the first leg in Lisbon in a very close game.

With PSV’s attack being electric in the early stages of the season, the outcome of Wednesday’s game will depend on Benfica’s defense being able to slow down the Dutch team.

Result: Benfica to win

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