The hosts got the better of the Turkish side from Istanbul in the previous round. In my opinion, they are the favorites to win this match as well—and not just to win, but to advance in the tournament once more. The visitors stand no chance, so I’m going with a "1" (home win).

I believe CSKA won't lose this match. After the international break, Bulgaria's most successful team in Europe is highly motivated to put in a strong performance in the second-tier competition. A draw is quite likely, but I’m betting on the Bulgarians to win this match. Prediction: 2.

My first prediction of the day is for the match between Panathinaikos and CSKA 1948 Sofia. Panathinaikos is considered a heavy favorite, but I don't believe the Greeks are that much better. I expect a balanced game where the Bulgarian side manages to snatch a draw, surprising the bookmakers.

The odds are very evenly matched, and everything points to a hard-fought duel with few clear-cut scoring chances. From this perspective, it will be interesting to see if the newly promoted side can manage to snatch a result once again.

Red Bull Salzburg endured a third consecutive disappointing campaign last season, and it seems it is time for the "Bulls" to reclaim the Austrian crown. Their opening match of the season is against Hartberg. A new manager at the helm German coach Danny Röhl takes charge; he has made a positive impression with his work at

Celje is the true barometer of current form. The team remains the strongest in Slovenia and will be looking to defend the title won last season. While their thoughts may be partly focused on the upcoming Champions League clash in a few days, their penalty-shootout victory over Egnatia will give them the confidence to succeed here as well.

I expect both teams to score here. Argeș plays more boldly at home, while Petrolul possesses enough attacking quality to find the net. Their last meeting ended 2–1, and some models project an expected goal total of around 3.0, supporting a scenario where both teams score. To me, 1–1 or 2–1 seem like the most likely outcomes.

Here, I’ll opt for the higher goal line. Aarau usually plays quite an attacking game, and Étoile Carouge isn't afraid to attack at home either. I expect a match with a good pace and plenty of chances, so a 2–2 or 3–1 scoreline seems entirely possible to me.

I’m picking a match from the Polish Ekstraklasa and immediately betting on the away team to win, as they are on a streak of high-scoring victories. The hosts, on the other hand, are on a losing streak, so I’m putting my trust directly in the visiting side from Warsaw tonight.

Viking is one of the highest-scoring teams in Norway; they play a very attacking style regardless of the opponent. They create plenty of chances, which sets the stage for goals. Lillestrøm also has the potential to capitalize on counter-attacks. I am betting on there being over 3.5 goals in this match.