• See also: The difference in class should show from the first minutes: prediction for Altglienicke vs Wolfsburg

Sabah started the first leg perfectly, with Veljko Simic opening the scoring in the sixth minute. However, Valdas Dambrauskas' squad couldn't hold on to their advantage, allowing their rivals to turn the match around - 1-2.

At home, though, the Azerbaijanis look far more convincing. In this qualifying campaign, they've won every European match at their own ground, and against Aarhus, they already clawed back from a 1-2 deficit in the first leg, crushing the Danes 4-0 in the return.

The Israeli champions showed real grit in the opener. After conceding early, Jayvon East leveled the score before halftime, and Igor Zlatanovic secured the win for Hapoel.

Ran Kozhuk's team has now won four straight matches in Champions League qualification and already proved they can get results on the road. Their 2-0 victory over Crvena Zvezda in the previous round was particularly telling.

• The first leg ended with a 2-1 win for Hapoel Be'er Sheva.
• Sabah has won all of their home matches in this season's Champions League qualification.
• In the previous round, the Azerbaijanis bounced back from a 1-2 defeat to AGF by thrashing them 4-0 at home in the return leg.

Sabah has already shown how dramatically their game changes at home. Simic is in top form, and the need to fight back should push the hosts to attack from the opening whistle.

Hapoel are resilient and know how to defend a lead, but constant pressure in Baku could become the deciding factor. Given Sabah's formidable home form, another high-scoring comeback could well be on the cards.

• See also: Birmingham will test the favorite’s squad depth: prediction for Birmingham City vs Brentford

Marumo Gallants opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Kruger United, but things quickly took a turn for the worse. They suffered back-to-back defeats, losing 1-3 to Stellenbosch and 0-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns, leaving them with just a single point from three rounds.

The main issues are up front - over three matches, the hosts have scored only once. Draws are typical for this side: eight of their last ten fixtures have ended without a winner.

TS Galaxy have also failed to pick up a victory in their opening three fixtures. They drew 2-2 with Sivelele, lost 2-3 to Mamelodi Sundowns, and then played out a goalless stalemate with Golden Arrows.

Looking at a broader stretch, the numbers tell an even grimmer story: just one win in their last 15 official matches, alongside eight draws. However, TS Galaxy have fared well specifically against Marumo Gallants, going unbeaten in their last three head-to-head encounters.

• Neither Marumo Gallants nor TS Galaxy have managed a win in their first three matches of the season.
• Half of the last eight meetings between these teams have ended in a draw.
• Marumo Gallants have drawn eight of their last ten matches, while TS Galaxy have drawn eight of their last 15.

Both teams are far from their best and continue to struggle to find winning form. Marumo’s attack has been particularly blunt, while Galaxy often lack the decisive push to claim all three points.

Head-to-head history also suggests a closely contested battle, and the recent run of results for both sides is packed with draws. With that in mind, a draw seems the most logical outcome.

• Also read: Newcastle vs Liverpool match prediction: blockbuster clash in the opening round of the Premier League - 23.08.2026.

Kruger United are making their debut in the South African elite after winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Abram Mongoya remains at the helm, but the gulf between the first and second divisions has already become apparent.

In the opening round, the newcomers lost 1-3 to Kaizer Chiefs, managed a goalless draw away at Marumo Gallants, and then suffered a 1-2 defeat to Milford last time out. That loss to Milford is particularly concerning for the coaching staff: Kruger led 1-0 and played most of the match with a man advantage, yet conceded twice in the second half.

Both of the team's goals this season have come from Khethukuthula Ndlovu: he first found the net against Kaizer Chiefs and then opened the scoring versus Milford. For now, much of the hosts’ attacking threat relies on his effectiveness.

There are also personnel concerns. In the previous match, Shane Saralina was stretchered off before halftime after a heavy collision. As of this preview, there is no official update on the severity of his injury or his availability for the Durban City game, leaving his participation in doubt.

During the off-season, Durban City appointed Khalil Ben Youssef as head coach, replacing Pitso Dladla. The start of the campaign has been challenging for the new boss, but the team is gradually becoming more organized. After a 0-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United, Durban picked up points in back-to-back games — a 0-0 draw with Golden Arrows and a 1-1 stalemate with Richards Bay. Across three matches, they've conceded just twice but have only managed a single goal.

The clash with Golden Arrows was especially telling. Durban City dominated possession and created chances, with Tylo Sanger and the experienced Gaston Sirino among the most active players. The squad also includes Bandile Shandu, Sifo Msomi, Sifiso Sifumba, and Tashreeq Morris — giving Ben Youssef a variety of attacking options. The main issue so far has been finishing.

On the flip side, the defensive setup is already paying dividends. All three of Durban City's league games this season have seen under 2.5 goals, and only once have both teams found the net.

• Kruger United have yet to win this season: one draw and two defeats.
• Durban City are also winless, but have lost just one of their three matches.
• Kruger’s goal difference after three rounds is 2:5, Durban City's is 1:2.
• All three of Durban City's league fixtures have featured under 2.5 total goals.
• The teams met twice in the 2024/25 second division season, with Durban City winning both — 2-1 away and 1-0 at home.

Despite their rough start, Kruger United will surely try to play more adventurously at home. However, the defeat to a ten-man Milford side highlighted the newcomers’ lack of consistency. At the same time, Durban City under Ben Youssef look far more assured defensively than going forward.

The visitors have scored just once in three games, but have only conceded twice. For a team still chasing their first win, an away trip to a direct rival in the lower half of the table is hardly the time to throw caution to the wind.

External statistical models also predict a cautious contest: Forebet rates the likelihood of a draw at 44%, projects a 1-1 scoreline, and slightly favors a low-scoring outcome.

Given Durban City's lack of firepower, the importance of points for both sides, and the generally cautious approach of the visitors, backing a low goal tally appears to be the most logical bet.

Prediction: under 2.5 total goals.

• Also read: Elche vs Barcelona: Can Hansi Flick's side make a confident start to the season?

Lekhlohonolo Sima’s men kicked off the league with an entertaining 2-2 draw against TS Galaxy, but that attacking verve quickly faded. Sivelile then lost 0-1 to Milford, followed by a 0-2 defeat to AmaZulu. That means the Free State club has gone 180 minutes of league action without finding the back of the net.

The match against AmaZulu was especially telling. By the 32nd minute, Sivelile were already trailing 0-2, prompting Sima to try and shake things up by bringing on Blessing Thulo and Neo Mokhachane. The visitors looked much more lively after the break, but AmaZulu keeper Wilfried Kouassi pulled off five saves to keep a clean sheet. The host’s problems aren’t just about creating chances — it’s also about finishing them off.

After three games, Sivelile have just two goals to their name — both coming in that opening fixture. Another worrying trend: in 39 of their last 48 league matches, Sivelile have scored no more than once.

Brandon Truter’s side have endured a similar start. Chippa opened with a goalless draw against Golden Arrows, then drew 1-1 with Richards Bay before suffering a heavy 0-3 defeat to Orlando Pirates. That’s just a single goal in three rounds.

Even the scoreline in that last match is a bit misleading. Until halftime, Chippa held Orlando Pirates at bay largely thanks to Stanley Nwabali: the Nigerian shot-stopper produced three crucial saves. But after the break, the Pirates’ pressure finally paid off — with goals in the 60th, 64th, and 88th minutes.

Chippa’s squad underwent significant changes in the offseason, and Nwabali’s return was one of the key developments. But up front, Truter’s system is still a work in progress. The stats back it up: Chippa United haven’t scored more than once in any of their last 12 Betway Premiership matches.

Last season, the teams played out two extremely tight contests. In November 2025, Sivelile’s home fixture ended 0-0, and in April 2026, Chippa United edged a 1-0 win on their own turf. That’s just one goal between both teams in 180 minutes of head-to-head action, with under 2.5 goals landing comfortably both times.

There’s little reason to expect a dramatic change in script now. Sivelile have failed to score in two straight, Chippa have found the net just once in three games, and both sides’ positions near the foot of the table only add to the pressure of making the first mistake.

Expect the teams to stick with their most recent starting elevens, as official matchday squads will be confirmed closer to kick-off.

• Sivelile: Phoko — Mpholozi, Ngcobo, Ndebele, Baliti — Margeman, Mokhuoane — Pule, Clifford, Potsane — Jeza.
• Chippa United: Nwabali — Mobara, Kammis, Majadibodu, Jones — Mosele, Tshobeni, Mfekane — Mohloametsi, Figueiredo, Mlotshwa.

The safer pick here is under 2.5 goals, but as expected, the odds for that market will be quite low.

Yes, that’s a much riskier option, but the case for it is strong. Chippa have scored just once in three rounds, Sivelile have followed up their opening draw with back-to-back blanks, and their last two head-to-heads ended 0-0 and 1-0. With both attacks struggling, the first goal here could completely change the game: whichever team gets it will likely drop deep to protect the lead, while the other simply doesn’t have enough attacking quality to break down an organized defense.

Prediction: under 1.5 total goals.

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Before this, the two sides had already battled in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals. On August 22, the Pirates traveled to Polokwane and secured a narrow 1-0 win. That lone goal gave the Buccaneers a solid advantage ahead of the return leg set for August 29.But now, the focus shifts—it's all about the league. Orlando Pirates have kicked off their Betway Premiership title defense in style. After three rounds, the reigning champions have collected 7 points: victories over Milford (2-0) and Chippa United (3-0), plus a draw with AmaZulu (1-1). The team has already netted five goals and remains unbeaten.Sekhukhune have also managed to pick up six points. They started the campaign by beating Durban City (1-0), then fell to Kaizer Chiefs (0-2), but bounced back with a convincing 2-0 win over Polokwane City. Clearly, the visitors have no intention of simply making up the numbers in this triple-header against the Pirates.The big question—can Sekhukhune quickly recover after a tough loss in the first MTN8 semi-final? Coach Cedric Kaze had emphasized beforehand that his team must treat every match as a fresh challenge. And that makes sense: the August 25 meeting isn't a cup tie, so no one is eliminated for a defeat, but three points could prove crucial in the early championship race.At the moment, the Pirates look like the favorites. They've launched their title defense with confidence, are unbeaten in three league games, and have just claimed a psychological edge over this same opponent. But Sekhukhune have a trump card—the sides know each other inside out, and three matches in eight days demand serious squad rotation and fitness.One thing's for sure: there's no chance of boredom here. Orlando Pirates are the frontrunners, but Sekhukhune United will be eager to get revenge for that MTN8 defeat. And given the packed fixture list, this game might look nothing like Saturday's cup showdown.My prediction: Orlando Pirates win.

• Also read: Newcastle vs Liverpool match prediction: blockbuster clash in the opening round of the Premier League - 23.08.2026.

Cardiff returned to the Championship after promotion from League One, and in their opening official fixtures, Brian Barry-Murphy’s men have shown no intention of abandoning their bold style of football. In the League Cup, the Welsh side edged Swindon 3-2: Youssef Saleh bagged a brace, while debutant Jack Moylan netted the winner. Then, in their Championship opener, Cardiff drew 1-1 with Wrexham, salvaging a point thanks to Rubin Colwill’s stoppage-time equalizer.

The main headache for the hosts is at the other end of the pitch. Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor, and Calum Chambers remain sidelined, while Gabriel Osho picked up a knee injury against Wrexham. On August 22 against Derby, Cardiff were forced to field a makeshift back four of Ronan Kpakio, Perry Ng, Joel Bagan, and Calum Scanlon. The squad’s depth at centre-back is clearly stretched thin.

However, Barry-Murphy has plenty of options in attack. Saleh has already hit the ground running, Colwill has returned to the starting line-up, and the likes of Ollie Tanner, Chris Willock, Sion Ashford, Isaac Davies, and Callum Robinson are all available. Given the packed schedule, rotation on Tuesday is almost inevitable, but it’s unlikely to blunt the hosts’ threat going forward.

Philippe Clement’s Norwich kicked off their cup campaign in far more convincing fashion: against MK Dons, they struck four times through Mohamed Toure, Anis Ben Slimane, Ben Kresen, and Andre Brooks. The start to their Championship season, however, has been far more challenging. The Canaries first lost 2-1 at home to West Bromwich, then suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat to Millwall on August 22. That makes it five goals conceded in just their first two league outings.

An additional blow is the suspension of Jose Cordoba. The centre-back was booked in the 25th minute against Millwall, then sent off in the 63rd after a second yellow. Under the FA’s current disciplinary rules for the 2026/27 season, a red card for two yellows in one match triggers a one-game suspension, which applies to both league and League Cup ties. That means Cordoba will miss the trip to Cardiff.

Clement does have options to reshuffle — Ruairi McConville, Jack Stacey, Darlin Yongwa, Pelle Mattsson, Jacob Wright, Papa Diallo, and Mathias Kvistgaarden all made the squad for their last outing. Still, after conceding three against Millwall and with enforced changes at the heart of defence, the visitors’ solidity is very much under scrutiny.

• Both over 2.5 goals and both teams to score have landed in each of the last four meetings between Cardiff and Norwich: 4-2, 2-1, 4-1, and 3-2.
• Across their last ten head-to-head clashes, these sides have averaged 3.3 goals per game, with Norwich winning seven of them.
• Cardiff opened this season’s League Cup campaign with a 3-2 win over Swindon.
• Norwich thrashed MK Dons 4-1 in the first round, but then shipped five goals in their opening two Championship fixtures.

Betting on the result here looks a risky business. Cardiff do have home advantage, but injuries have left them desperately short at the back. Norwich, meanwhile, just shipped three to Millwall and now must cope without Cordoba for this cup tie.

But attacking firepower is in abundance on both sides. Cardiff have already scored three in the first round, Saleh is in fine early-season form, and there’s a host of pacey, technical options behind him. Norwich also showcased their attacking credentials with four goals against MK Dons. With likely rotation and reshuffles, defensive organization could well be the weak spot for both teams.

The recent history backs it up: each of the last four head-to-heads has produced at least three goals. At the time of writing, the market price for over 2.5 goals is around 1.87, perfectly meeting the requirement to look for odds no lower than 1.70.

Prediction: over 2.5 goals.

Both teams have kicked off their national campaign with confidence, but the status and squad depth of the visitors make this away fixture the ultimate early-season test for the hosts.

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It’s worth noting that in their last five head-to-head encounters, Al-Nassr has claimed three victories, with one draw and a single win for Al-Ettifaq. In April 2026, during matchday 29 of the Pro League, Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 home victory thanks to a goal from Kingsley Coman.

The hosts started the season on a high, earning three points in the opening round against Al-Fateh with a narrow 1-0 win, showcasing solid performance in competitive fixtures. Al-Ettifaq boasts an experienced core of foreign players: Rayane Messi, Ondrej Duda, and Álvaro Medrán control the midfield, while the strike partnership of Moussa Dembélé and Yasir Shammari adds firepower up front.

At their home ground, spurred on by passionate supporters, Al-Ettifaq play with organization and courage. However, the biggest challenge for their defense will be neutralizing the constant positional and wing pressure from the reigning champions.

The defending champions of Saudi Arabia have started the season in emphatic fashion, dismantling Al-Fateh 3-0 and Al-Riyadh 4-0. Cristiano Ronaldo is already off the mark this season, scoring after coming off the bench, while support from Sadio Mané, João Félix, Kingsley Coman, Ángelo, and Iñigo Martínez gives Al-Nassr immense attacking variety.

Al-Nassr dominates possession, regains control quickly through counter-pressing, and creates chances thanks to the individual brilliance of their star players.

• Al-Ettifaq: Ba Al-Jawsh - Al Otaibi, Hendry, Khateeb, Al-Olayan - Messi, Duda, Medrán, Al-Ghannam - Dembélé, Shammari
• Al-Nassr: Bento - Boushal, Al-Amri, Martínez, Alnajdi - Ângelo, Al-Khaibari, Félix - Coman, Mané, Ronaldo

At the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, Al-Ettifaq traditionally puts up a fierce fight against the capital’s giants. The well-drilled midfield duo of Duda and Medrán can disrupt Al-Nassr’s positional play, and with a packed fixture list and the demanding nature of this away match for the champions, the stage is set for the favorites to potentially drop points. My prediction: Al-Ettifaq will not lose.

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Grant McCann's side have reached the second round of the League Cup for the fourth consecutive time, having beaten Stockport in a penalty shootout 5-4 after a 1-1 draw. Their league campaign has started less convincingly: a 1-2 defeat to Mansfield and a goalless draw with Barnsley.

Doncaster fans have particularly fond memories against Middlesbrough. Last season, Doncaster pulled off a sensational 4-0 away thrashing of this opponent and went on to reach the third round of the competition.

Middlesbrough opened the season with back-to-back victories — 1-0 over Wrexham in the League Cup and 2-1 against Lincoln City in the Championship. However, their first away game ended in a 1-2 loss to Blackburn, despite taking a lead at halftime through a Jeremy Sarmiento goal.

Helberg may rotate his squad and give opportunities to Sol Brynn, Alfie Jones, Neto Borges, Riley McGree, and Kyle Joseph. Even with some changes, the visitors have enough depth to be confident of progressing to the next round.

• Doncaster advanced past Stockport in the first round only via a penalty shootout.
• Last season, Doncaster thrashed Middlesbrough away 4-0.
• Middlesbrough have lost only one of their last four away games against Doncaster.

Doncaster have already shown they're capable of causing this opponent problems, but their current League One start has been far from convincing. It will be tough for the hosts to contain a higher-quality attacking line for the full 90 minutes.

Middlesbrough may rotate, but their squad depth should be enough to establish a clear advantage. After the setback against Blackburn, the visitors are motivated to get back to winning ways quickly.

• See also: Mestalla awaits its first win of the season: prediction for Valencia vs Betis

Stevenage have started the League One season with one point from their opening two matches, drawing once and suffering one defeat. In their most recent game, Boro lost 1-2 at home to Oxford United, with the match taking place at the Lamex Stadium.

Reading also have just one point after the opening two rounds of the league campaign. Their latest match was an away trip to AFC Wimbledon, where they played out a goalless 0-0 draw at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Both teams picked up victories in the first round of the EFL Cup. Stevenage beat League One side Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 away from home. Reading faced Bromley and progressed after a penalty shootout, with the match finishing 1-1 after both normal and extra time.

• Stevenage and Reading have each lost once in their last five matches.
• Stevenage have scored at least one goal in five consecutive matches.
• Stevenage beat Reading 2-1 in their most recent meeting.

• Stevenage: Marschall; Vancooten, Piergianni, Freestone; Houghton, Taylor, Phillips, Patterson; Kemp; Mellon, Magennis
• Reading: Pereira; Godwin-Malife, O'Connor, Ward, Roberts, Dorsett; Fraser, Savage; Williams, Earthy, Lane; Brown

I think both teams will be eager to reach the next round of the English League Cup and will certainly give it their all. I expect to see several goals, so my betting tip is for over 2 total goals.

• Read also: Doncaster will try to surprise the favorite again: prediction for Doncaster Rovers vs Middlesbrough

Southampton and West Ham both played in the English Premier League last season, but neither side had a successful campaign. The Saints finished bottom of the table and have become something of a yo-yo club, moving between the Premier League and the Championship. Southampton will once again try to fight their way back to the top flight. As for West Ham, they surprisingly and even sensationally dropped out of England's top division. They will now attempt to make an immediate return.

Southampton started the new Championship season with a 1-2 defeat to Watford before convincingly beating Stoke City 3-1. They have three points after two rounds. West Ham began with a 2-2 draw against Burnley before suffering a surprise 1-2 defeat to Charlton. In the League Cup, they beat Portsmouth 3-1, while Southampton defeated Worcester 2-0.

• Southampton have lost just one of their last ten matches.
• Southampton have scored at least one goal in seven consecutive matches.
• West Ham have lost three of their last ten matches.
• West Ham have both scored and conceded in four consecutive matches.
• The teams drew 1-1 in their most recent meeting.

• Southampton: Peretz; Bree, Wood, Stephens, Manning; Matsuki, Bragg; Fellows, Dobbin, Scienza; Mubama
• West Ham: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Veltman, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Orford, Ward-Prowse, Solomon; Castellanos, Piroe

Two very strong teams will face each other as early as the second round. My betting tip is for both teams to score in this match.

• Read also: Cup openness and defensive woes: prediction for Cardiff vs Norwich on 25.08.2026

Ipswich played in the Championship last season but managed to earn promotion to England's top flight and are now competing in the Premier League. The team have also already started the new Premier League season and made a strong start, beating Sunderland 2-1 at home. It was an important victory for the Tractor Boys in the opening round. Now the team will take part in a second-round League Cup tie.

Leicester were also playing in the Premier League not long ago, but dropped into the Championship, where they competed last season before also being relegated from that division. Leicester are now playing in England's League One, the third tier of English football. They have started the new season, but it has not gone particularly well. Leicester drew their opening match before losing 1-2 in the second round. It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for the Foxes. Their only victory so far came in the first round of the League Cup, when they beat Northampton 1-0.

By the way, the League Cup started earlier than usual this year. Normally, teams begin their campaigns after all the divisions have started their seasons, but that is not the case this time. The 2026/27 Carabao Cup campaign got underway earlier than usual.

• Ipswich have won their last five matches.
• Leicester are winless in their last two matches and have won just once in their previous five games.
• The teams drew 1-1 in their most recent meeting.

• Ipswich: Scherpen; O'Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Nunez, Lukic; Fatawu, Enciso, Maeda; Emersonn
• Leicester: Stolarczyk; Joseph, Souttar, Okoli, Thomas; Choudhury; Alves, Braybrooke, Cullen, Mavididi; Reid

Ipswich are currently in excellent form and have won their last five matches. I think the team will be able to secure another victory on home soil, and that is my betting tip for this match.

• See also: Fulham vs Chelsea prediction and betting tips 24 Аugust 2026

Watford approaches this home cup fixture in solid form and as clear favorites. Their start to the Championship season has been more than convincing: a home win over Southampton (2-1) and a hard-fought away draw against Wrexham (1-1) have cemented their reputation as a resilient, well-balanced squad boasting both physical strength and fluid, flexible play. Moreover, in the first round of the League Cup, Watford showed their pragmatic side, edging past Crawley Town 1-0. At Vicarage Road, the coaching staff will likely rotate the lineup somewhat, but even with some reserves on the pitch, Watford holds a clear advantage in quality, squad depth, and on-field decision-making speed.

Peterborough United heads to Watford as bold underdogs with nothing to lose. The visitors, hailing from League One, are known for their attacking, open, and occasionally adventurous football, emphasizing wing play and a high tempo. Fully aware of the gulf in individual talent, Peterborough’s main goal will be to weather Watford’s early onslaught and exploit any gaps on the counterattack. Still, their primary vulnerability remains a shaky defense under sustained pressure and difficulties defending set pieces—something Championship clubs rarely fail to exploit.

Tactically, the match at Vicarage Road is likely to see Watford dictating play, controlling possession and the center of the pitch. Peterborough will look to set up a compact mid-block, relying on their pacey wingers and swift transitions from defense to attack.

I expect a composed win for the hosts, who have started the season well and are steadily building momentum. My prediction: Watford to win at 1.55

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Mark Robins’ side opened the season with a 2-0 League Cup win over Oldham, but then suffered back-to-back defeats in the Championship. Stoke first fell 2-1 to Swansea, then lost 3-1 to Southampton, conceding twice late on.

The squad underwent a major overhaul this summer, and the manager admits it will take time for the team to gel. Injuries are another headache: Aaron Cresswell, Lamine Cisse, Bosun Lawal, Junior Tchamadeu, and Ato Ampah will all miss out for the hosts.

Hull marked their Premier League comeback in spectacular fashion, defeating Manchester United 2-0. Defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy were the heroes on the scoresheet.

Sergei Yakirovich’s squad was also significantly reinforced in the off-season, adding real depth. Despite a lengthy injury list, the visitors have the resources to rotate and still look stronger on paper.

• Stoke City have lost their last two matches after beating Oldham in the League Cup.
• Hull started their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Manchester United.
• Stoke have won six of their last ten head-to-head clashes with Hull across all competitions.

Stoke are capable of putting up a fight on home turf, but the team is still a work in progress and prone to costly errors. Injuries only add to the hosts’ woes.

Hull, buoyed by a statement win over Manchester United, look more cohesive and confident. Even with potential squad rotation, the visitors should have the edge.

• See also: Doncaster will try to surprise the favorite again: prediction for Doncaster Rovers vs Middlesbrough

Last season, Cambridge made an immediate return to the third tier, finishing second with 82 points. Neil Harris’s side have started the new campaign confidently: a 3-2 win over Wigan, a 1-1 draw with Bromley, and cup progress against Barnet.

However, the hosts have already let opponents back into games several times. Against Wigan, their 3-0 lead nearly evaporated, and they conceded an equalizer to Bromley in the 81st minute.

Last season, Millwall finished third in the Championship but failed to secure promotion after losing to Hull City in the playoff semi-finals. Alex Neil’s team have looked much more assured at the start of this season.

After getting past QPR on penalties, the Lions won back-to-back Championship matches — 2-0 against Bristol City and 3-0 over Norwich. Most impressive is that Millwall netted five goals and kept clean sheets in both games.

• Cambridge are unbeaten in all three official matches at the start of this season.
• Millwall have won their last two Championship matches by an aggregate score of 5-0.
• In their last League Cup meeting four years ago, Cambridge defeated Millwall 1-0.

Cambridge can put up a real fight, especially at home, and their defense last season was among the most reliable in League One. However, they've already shown a tendency to lose focus after strong spells.

Millwall come into this clash in excellent form and have greater squad depth, allowing for rotation without a significant drop in quality. That gives the visitors the edge in the battle for a place in the third round.

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This is one of those draws that could have certainly been kinder—both clubs know each other well from the Championship, and their most recent encounter ended in a convincing 3-1 victory for Blackburn back in April.The Rovers head into this cup tie in excellent spirits. In their Championship opener, they drew 2-2 away at Wolverhampton, then followed that up with a 2-1 home triumph over Middlesbrough. That win against Boro came just on August 22nd, meaning the hosts have only a few days to recover. Prior to that, Blackburn had already navigated the first round of the League Cup, defeating Burton Albion 2-1.Sheffield United, on the other hand, have had a much calmer start to their season. The Blades have played out two goalless draws—first at home against Birmingham, then away to Swansea. On the one hand, Chris Wilder’s side have yet to lose and look well-organized defensively. On the other, two matches without a goal highlight some serious issues up front.The cup could be the perfect opportunity for the visitors to finally unleash their attack. However, there’s a catch: Sheffield are heading to a ground where they were handed a painful lesson last season. In April, Blackburn won 3-1 at Bramall Lane, and now the Blades face an even tougher scenario—taking on the same opponent on their own turf.That said, Sheffield United should not be written off. The club has once again entrusted the team to Chris Wilder this summer, a manager who knows the Bramall Lane atmosphere and expectations inside out. His main goal is to get the team back into the promotion hunt, so this cup clash will hardly be treated as a mere formality.All in all, we’re in for an intriguing test. Blackburn currently look a bit more convincing, especially after their home win over Middlesbrough, and they have the added advantage of playing at Ewood Park. Sheffield United are struggling for goals, but cup games are often the perfect stage for a reset. Don’t expect an easy ride here.My prediction: both teams to score – yes.

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• Wednesday have claimed victory in two of their three matches so far this season.
• On home turf, the Owls have lost only once in their last five games.
• Wolverhampton are unbeaten in five consecutive matches.
• Wolves have conceded in each of their last seven away fixtures.
• Wednesday haven't beaten Wolverhampton at home since 2015.

Sheffield Wednesday started the season in League One after a very tough previous year and had to virtually rebuild the squad over the summer. The club emerged from administration following a change of ownership, and the new management now faces the challenge of restoring stability to one of England’s historic clubs. The team, however, is still operating under significant financial constraints.

Despite the difficulties, they managed to strengthen the squad with several new signings. New arrivals include goalkeepers Joe Lumley, Ashley Maynard-Brewer, and Connall Trueman; defenders Ricardo Santos and Sil Swinkels; midfielders Callum Slattery and Tyler Onyango; and forwards Louie Barry, Harry Gray, and Mason Burstow.

Their preseason was a mixed bag. Sheffield Wednesday lost 0-3 to West Bromwich, then beat Preston 3-2, but suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Oldham. In their final friendly, they drew 0-0 with Accrington.

The start of the official season, however, has been more encouraging. In the first round of the Carabao Cup, Sheffield Wednesday defeated Bolton 1-0, then won 2-1 away at Leyton Orient, but last time out in League One they lost 0-1 at home to Bradford. So, the team can play pragmatically, but consistency is still lacking.

• See also: Premier League match: can Chelsea kick off the season with a win? Preview of the clash against Fulham, August 24

Wolverhampton head into this game following relegation from the Premier League and a significant squad overhaul. The new head coach, Cesar Peixoto, signed a two-year contract this summer. The Portuguese manager's task is to guide the team back to the top flight after a season in which Wolves finished bottom.

The club has tried to keep its core players while making targeted signings. One of the standout arrivals is Rafiki Saïd, who joined from Standard for £7.7 million. Several young players have also bolstered the squad. The club has also been busy trimming the roster—Dan Bentley recently moved to Coventry, while João Gomes was previously sold to Aston Villa.

Peixoto’s side looked convincing in preseason. One of their most notable results was a 3-0 win over Racing Santander, with Fer Lopez, Hugo Bueno, and Yerson Mosquera all on the scoresheet. Wolverhampton finished preseason with a positive impression thanks to their attacking play.

The start of the season has been equally productive. In the first round of the Carabao Cup, Wolves thrashed Port Vale 3-0. In the Championship, they drew 2-2 with Blackburn before confidently beating Preston 3-1. That’s eight goals scored in three official matches—a strong argument in favor of a bet on goals.

In terms of squad strength and current form, Wolverhampton are clear favorites, but the odds for an outright win may not be too enticing. The goal market looks far more attractive: Wolves are averaging nearly three goals per game at the start of the season, and Sheffield Wednesday have already played a handful of high-scoring matches. With that in mind, my recommendation is to back over 2.5 total goals.

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• Plymouth have scored in 15 consecutive matches.
• Coventry have won just one of their last four official away fixtures.
• Coventry haven’t beaten Plymouth away since 2009.
• Coventry have scored against Plymouth in each of their last nine meetings.

Plymouth approach this clash in a tough emotional state. Tom Cleverley’s squad kicked off their League One campaign with a 1-3 home defeat to Stockport County, then drew 1-1 away at Wycombe. So, after two rounds, the Pilgrims have just one point to their name.

However, their summer preparations had given fans plenty of reasons for optimism. Plymouth had a busy pre-season, facing Plymouth Parkway, Bath City, Torquay United, Truro City, and Bristol City. The team picked up several friendly wins and held Bristol City to a 0-0 draw.

Over the summer, Cleverley worked to shape the squad to his own playing style and make the team more competitive in League One. One notable signing was striker Will Evans, from whom the manager expects greater attacking output. Cleverley also confirmed the club continues to work on strengthening the squad.

Plymouth have already shown the necessary pragmatism for knockout football in the Carabao Cup. In the first round, they confidently dispatched Exeter 2-0, with both goals coming late in the game. Now, the opposition is much stronger, so the hosts will need to be nearly flawless—especially at the back.

• See also: Premier League match: can Chelsea kick off the season with a win? Preview of the clash against Fulham, August 24

For Coventry, the new season started far from ideally. After their Championship title and a first Premier League return in 25 years, Frank Lampard’s side opened their top-flight campaign with a tough 0-3 away defeat to reigning champions Arsenal. The fixture list, it must be said, was brutal from the outset.

But the Sky Blues undertook a massive transfer campaign this summer. The club brought in goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, defender Aurel Amenda, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Caleb Yirenky, and winger Lume Tshauna. In addition, Taiwo Awoniyi and Sidiki Sheriff have joined the ranks. The total spend on confirmed transfers surpassed £80 million.

Pre-season suggested Lampard is gradually finding the right combinations. Coventry won their final warm-up game before the season 2-0 against Monaco, with Ellis Simms and new signing Lume Tshauna getting on the scoresheet, while Rushworth kept a clean sheet. It was an encouraging sign ahead of their Premier League return.

That said, Coventry have a significant issue up front: main striker Haji Wright suffered a severe quadriceps injury and could be sidelined for up to three months. Still, the squad boasts enough depth to cover his absence, and the Plymouth fixture gives Lampard a chance to rotate and test his reserves.

On paper, Coventry are the favourites. They have a deeper squad, made serious summer reinforcements, and already have experience against top-tier opposition. But Plymouth are at home, and the Carabao Cup is notorious for springing surprises. The hosts are capable of putting up a fight, but Coventry’s class and squad depth should make the difference. My bet is on a Coventry win.

• See also: Leeds will try to upset Forest for the second time in five days: prediction for Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United

After finishing tenth in last season’s Championship, Chris Davies’ squad is aiming to get closer to the promotion race. Their start has been steady: Birmingham drew with Sheffield United and Bristol City, and edged out Swansea 1-0 in the League Cup.

There’s still plenty to work on for the hosts. In the last round, only a stoppage-time penalty from Demarai Gray rescued a 2-2 draw with Bristol, and a congested fixture list could prompt the coaching staff to rotate the squad.

Brentford opened their Premier League campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Tottenham. Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt gave them the edge before halftime, and Michael Kayode made it a rout soon after the break.

The visitors could also make significant changes to their starting lineup. Hakon Valdimarsson is in contention for the goalkeeper spot, while Jaidon Anthony and Callum Wilson are likely to get a chance up front. Even with rotation, Brentford’s squad depth remains formidable.

• Birmingham are unbeaten in all three official matches at the start of the season.
• Brentford opened the league with a 3-0 win over Tottenham.
• Brentford are unbeaten against Birmingham in their last six head-to-head meetings.

Birmingham have what it takes to make this a competitive fixture at home, especially given their confident start. But against a Premier League opponent, defensive lapses could prove costly.

Brentford are riding high after their win over Tottenham and boast significantly greater squad depth. Even with a few changes, the visitors look like strong favorites to progress to the next round.

• See also: Fulham vs Chelsea prediction and betting tips 24 Аugust 2026

Bodø/Glimt approach this decisive step toward the Champions League group stage as absolute masters of their own fate. The Norwegian outfit has a tradition of turning their Aspmyra home ground into a true fortress. Their dominance on home soil is fueled by a high-quality artificial pitch—something European visitors notoriously struggle to adapt to—and the ever-present stormy northern winds. The Norwegians are renowned for their whirlwind, high-intensity football, explosive wing play, and relentless counter-pressing immediately after losing possession. With a two-goal cushion from their 3-1 away win, Bodø/Glimt are unlikely to park the bus; instead, they'll look to strike early and put the tie to bed for good.

NEC Nijmegen head north of the Arctic Circle facing a daunting task: they need to overturn a two-goal deficit away from home against an exceptionally cohesive opponent. The Dutch side has nothing to lose, so the coaching staff will urge their players to go for broke right from the start, playing bold, vertical, and uncompromising football. Nijmegen will look to seize possession early, exploit the flanks, and impose a high tempo. However, their biggest risk lies in having to open up their defense and leave acres of space behind their back line—something the Norwegians are experts at exploiting with ruthless efficiency.

The tactical script for this second leg at Aspmyra promises to be open and entertaining. Nijmegen are forced to gamble and will surge forward from the first whistle, inevitably leaving gaps in midfield. Bodø/Glimt will look to punish them on swift counterattacks, unleashing their pacey wingers on the familiar synthetic turf.

I expect a confident display from the Norwegian side, who should advance to the group stage without major trouble. My prediction: Asian handicap Bodø/Glimt (-1) at 1.7 odds

• See also: Cup opportunity for the hosts after a rocky start: prediction for Stoke City vs Hull City

Oliver Glasner's first official match in charge of Forest ended in defeat. The clash with Leeds was heading for a draw, but in the 88th minute, Anton Stach converted a free kick to hand the visitors a 1-0 win.

The cup gives the new manager a chance to test the squad's depth. Expect significant rotation, and summer signing Ousmane Diomande could make his club debut. Nicolo Savona and Ryan Yates remain sidelined due to injury.

Last season, Leeds finished 14th in the Premier League with 47 points and made notable defensive reinforcements over the summer. James Trafford, Nico Elvedi, and Tarik Muharemovic are expected to help the team improve after conceding 56 goals in the previous campaign.

The win over Forest in the opening match boosted confidence, especially with a clean sheet. Overall, Daniel Farke's side has won four of their last five meetings with Nottingham.

• Leeds beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 just five days ago.
• The Yorkshiremen have won four of the last five head-to-head encounters.
• Leeds head into the game with five wins and a draw in their last six matches in all competitions.

Forest will certainly be aiming for revenge and will put up a fierce fight at home once again. However, squad rotation and ongoing adaptation to Glasner’s methods could impact their consistency.

Leeds currently look the more cohesive side and already know how to contain this opponent. In a tight match, the visitors may once again make better use of their chances.

• See also: LASK needs a near-perfect match for a comeback: prediction for LASK vs Celtic

Carlos Corberán’s team played out a 0-0 draw with Celta in their opening fixture. The result isn’t a disaster, but Valencia crafted enough quality opportunities to hope for more.

Last season, Los Che finished ninth with 49 points, just two shy of the European spots. Their home record against Betis is also respectable: eight wins in the last 15 La Liga meetings at Mestalla, with only four defeats.

Betis kicked off the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, with Rodrigo Riquelme netting the decisive goal in the 63rd minute. After finishing fifth last season, the Andalusians are again eyeing at least a Champions League spot.

This summer, the squad was bolstered by Facundo Bernal, Fran García, and Troy Parrott. García and Bernal already made their debuts in the first round and are expected to retain their places in the starting lineup, while Parrott could get minutes off the bench.

• Valencia started the season with a 0-0 draw against Celta.
• Betis beat Real Sociedad 1-0 in the opening round.
• In their last five meetings, Betis have won twice, Valencia once, and two matches have ended in a draw.

Valencia are capable of creating chances at home, but the first match showed they still have issues converting them. Against Betis’s organized defense, that could be a recurring problem.

The visitors have already notched a win and look a bit more stable, but Mestalla remains a tough away ground. A tight contest and a share of the spoils seem the most likely outcome.

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Dietmar Kühbauer’s side entered the opening match on the back of four straight wins to start the season, including a 7-0 rout in the Austrian Cup and three confident victories in the league. However, in Glasgow, LASK conceded three unanswered goals and now find themselves in a daunting position.

Despite the scoreline, the Austrians created plenty of chances: they fired 20 shots, scored twice from offside positions, and actually outperformed Celtic on xG - 1.58 to 0.93. At home, LASK have not lost in their last eight official matches, although they failed to win any of their previous five European home games.

The Scots made the most of their opportunities in the first leg. Benjamín Nygren found the net once, while Camilo Duran struck twice, with all three goals coming from spectacular efforts around the penalty area.

Celtic have won all four official matches at the start of the 2026/27 season, previously defeating Dundee 1-0, Kilmarnock 5-1, and Dundee United 4-0. Now, the team just needs to wisely manage their three-goal cushion to book a return to the Champions League main stage.

• The first match ended with a 3-0 victory for Celtic.
• LASK recorded 20 shots and outperformed their opponent on xG - 1.58 to 0.93.
• Celtic have won all four official matches in the 2026/27 season.

LASK have nothing to lose, so Kühbauer’s men will be forced to take risks from the opening whistle. On home turf, the Austrians are capable of converting at least some of the chances they missed in Glasgow.

However, this open style will create space for Celtic’s rapid counterattacks, and the visitors have enough attacking quality to capitalize. The hosts might avoid defeat, but overturning a three-goal deficit will be an enormous challenge.

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The teams come into this match with completely different momentum. Polokwane started the season with a win over Richards Bay (2-1), followed by a thrilling 3-3 draw with Stellenbosch, but then suffered a 0-2 defeat to Sekhukhune United in the last round. After three matches, the team has collected four points.Polokwane's main issue is clear—the defense. In their first four official games of the season, including a cup tie against Mamelodi Sundowns, they've already conceded nine goals. Head coach Bayano Moloto has admitted that defensive reliability is exactly what his squad is currently lacking. The break after their MTN8 exit was supposed to benefit Rise and Shine, but now it's crucial to deliver results on the pitch.Milford, on the other hand, are looking increasingly impressive. The Premier Division newcomers opened the season with a 0-2 loss to reigning champions Orlando Pirates, but then claimed back-to-back victories. First, the Stallions edged out Sivelele 1-0, then ground out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Kruger United—despite playing most of the match with ten men.Six points from three rounds keep Milford in the upper half of the table, currently sitting sixth. Polokwane are eighth with four points. The gap is narrow, so the winner of this head-to-head clash will make a significant move up the standings.On paper, the hosts have the advantage of home ground and greater top-flight experience. But Milford have already shown that they’re unfazed by their rookie status. This team plays with grit and character, and two straight wins have surely boosted their confidence.So Polokwane City can expect anything but an easy ride. The hosts must tighten up at the back, while Milford will likely look to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes. After three rounds, this is shaping up to be one of those tense, hard-fought encounters. And if Polokwane continue to make errors at the back, the in-form newcomers are more than capable of snatching more points from Polokwane.My prediction: over 1.5 total goals

• Read also: Premier League match: can Chelsea kick off the season with a win? Preview of the clash against Fulham, August 24

Malaga left La Liga back in 2018. The team subsequently even dropped into the third tier, although they spent just one season there. In the 2025/26 campaign, Malaga finished fourth in the Segunda Division and later managed to win the play-offs. Finally returning to La Liga, the team immediately faced one of the division's heavyweights, Atletico Madrid. Malaga held out for a long time, but conceded twice towards the end of the match and suffered defeat.

The team from La Coruna once dropped into the third tier of Spanish football and only managed to return to the Segunda Division in 2024. At the second attempt, Deportivo managed to earn promotion to the top flight, collecting 77 points to finish second in the table and secure automatic promotion to La Liga. In their first match at this level, Deportivo hosted Elche and, thanks to experienced striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who opened the scoring, managed to pick up their first points of the season.

• Malaga are winless in their last three matches.
• Deportivo have won just one of their last five matches.
• The last four matches involving Deportivo have produced no more than two goals.
• Malaga have conceded in seven consecutive matches.
• Malaga and Deportivo drew 1-1 in their most recent meeting.

• Malaga: Herrero; Puga, Recio, Galilea, Rafita; Merino; Larrubia, Dotor, Lorenzo, Munoz; Chupe
• Deportivo: Roman; Navarro, Noubi, Ede, Quagliata; Soriano, Amatucci; Altimira, Nsongo, Asp Jensen; Aubameyang

Two newcomers will face each other in the second round, and both teams will clearly be eager to claim a victory. I think we will see an entertaining game, and my betting tip is for over 1.5 total goals.

• Read also: West Bromwich picks up momentum, but Burnley remains a tough opponent: prediction for West Bromwich Albion vs Burnley

The five-year Marco Silva era ended with his move to Benfica, and Álvaro Arbeloa has taken the reins as head coach. Preseason under the Spaniard has been mixed—two wins in six matches and just one clean sheet, which came in the final friendly against Stuttgart.

This summer, Fulham signed Gonzalo García and César Palacios, both of whom could slot straight into the attacking group. The pressure on García is particularly high following the departures of last season’s top scorers, Harry Wilson and Raúl Jiménez, who netted ten and nine goals respectively.

Chelsea finished last season in tenth place after a turbulent campaign under two permanent managers and one interim. The project is now entrusted to Xabi Alonso, who aims to implement a familiar 3-4-2-1 formation.

João Pedro remains one of the team’s key hopes: after bagging 15 goals last season, he scored seven more during preseason. In addition, Morgan Rogers has joined the attacking ranks to support Cole Palmer, who endured a challenging campaign plagued by fatigue and injuries.

• Fulham have won two of their last four London derbies against Chelsea, both by a 2-1 scoreline.
• The hosts have kept Chelsea from scoring only twice in their last 16 encounters—both matches ended 0-0.
• Fulham have not won back-to-back matches against Chelsea since the 1970s.

Both teams are still adapting to the demands of their new managers, so a polished performance in the opening round is unlikely. Fulham could use home advantage to trouble their London neighbors.

However, Chelsea’s squad boasts greater individual quality, particularly in attack with Palmer, Rogers, and the in-form João Pedro. This edge may well allow Alonso’s side to kick off the season with a win.

• See also: Osasuna vs Levante prediction and betting tips 24 Аugust 2026

Fulham enter the new campaign under the guidance of Álvaro Arbeloa. The Spanish coach continues to instill in the Cottagers a high level of discipline, precise organization in defensive lines, and a pragmatic approach to capitalizing on chances. In this home clash against a fierce rival, Arbeloa will rely on a compact midfield block, minimizing open spaces between the lines, and ensuring maximum compactness in the holding area. Fulham will look to impose a physical battle on Chelsea, provoke fouls to disrupt the visitors' attacking tempo, and launch rapid counterattacks down the wide flanks. Arbeloa’s staff pays special attention to set-piece routines, which remain one of the hosts’ main weapons at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea begin the new campaign under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso, whose appointment marks a shift to a dominant, tactically flexible, and extremely intense style of football for the Blues. Alonso demands strict control of the match tempo, a high pressing line, and constant positional interchange up front. In this away opener, Chelsea will look to seize possession from the opening minutes, pin Fulham deep, and use quick ball movement to break down the hosts’ compact defensive blocks. Alonso’s key task in this duel is to maintain balance during transitions from attack to defense and avoid leaving space behind his central defenders during all-out positional assaults.

The tactical script for this derby at Craven Cottage will revolve around the classic battle for space and tempo. Under Xabi Alonso, Chelsea will relentlessly dominate territory and pile on the pressure, while Fulham under Álvaro Arbeloa will respond with disciplined disruption and patience, waiting to capitalize on any mistakes the visitors make when building from the back.

I expect both teams to deliver an attacking spectacle: we’re in for an open and entertaining match. My prediction: total over (2.5) at 1.66

• See also: The hosts' home streak makes the favorite vulnerable: prediction for Würzburger Kickers vs Köln

Robert Schröder’s side has started the new league campaign rather unconvincingly. In five matches, Hallescher have managed just one win—a 1-0 victory over Chemie Leipzig—while their most recent outing ended in a 1-2 defeat to Altglienicke.

The hosts earned their DFB-Pokal spot by winning the Saxony-Anhalt Cup, thrashing Germania Halberstadt 4-0 in the final. However, their last three DFB-Pokal campaigns all ended in first-round exits.

Last season, Schalke claimed the 2. Bundesliga crown and returned to the top division after a three-year absence. Before their Bundesliga opener, Miron Muslic’s men have a chance to get into competitive rhythm with this cup fixture.

Their preseason was a mixed bag: after four consecutive victories, Schalke suffered back-to-back 0-3 defeats to Atalanta and Real Madrid. Still, the level of their current opponent is much lower, making Schalke the clear favorite.

• Hallescher have won only one of their first five matches this season.
• The hosts have exited the DFB-Pokal in the first round in each of the past three seasons.
• Schalke ended their preseason with two 0-3 defeats, but had won four friendlies in a row prior to that.

Hallescher are capable of putting up a fight at home and have already shown they rarely suffer heavy defeats early in the season. However, against a side that just topped the 2. Bundesliga, their chances will be much slimmer.

For Schalke, it’s crucial to quickly regain confidence after a disappointing end to preseason. If the visitors stay focused, their superior squad quality should see them through to a convincing win.

• See also: The London derby ushers in a new era for both clubs: Fulham vs Chelsea prediction

Gian Piero Gasperini's side closed out last season with five straight victories, scoring at least twice in each match and conceding just two goals in that stretch. Thanks to this impressive run, Roma finished third and earned a Champions League spot for the first time in eight years.

However, their summer form has been far less consistent: there were 3-3 and 2-2 draws against Cannes and Borussia Dortmund, respectively, as well as heavy defeats - 1-4 to Cardiff and 0-3 to Brighton. On the bright side, the squad has been bolstered by the arrivals of Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina, both of whom are in line for their debuts.

Last season nearly ended in disaster for Fiorentina, but under Paolo Vanoli, the team made a remarkable turnaround, posting the seventh-best record in Serie A during the second half of the campaign. Down the stretch, Fiorentina lost just one of their final 11 matches and kept clean sheets in five of their last eight.

Now led by Fabio Grosso, the squad has been reinforced with Arthur Atta, Krist Ulay, Matteo Pellegrino, and Franco Mastantuono. Ahead of the Serie A kickoff, Fiorentina defeated Benevento 4-1 in the Coppa Italia, with Moise Kean already getting his name on the scoresheet for the new season.

• Roma have lost only one of their last 14 Serie A season openers.
• Last season, the Giallorossi won 13 home matches, suffering just three defeats at the Olimpico.
• Fiorentina have won only three of their last 52 league games against Roma at the Olimpico, with their last victory in Rome dating back to 2018.

Roma's preseason was a mixed bag, but last year's campaign highlighted just how formidable Gasperini's men are on home turf. In terms of readiness and tactical cohesion, the hosts appear to have the edge.

Fiorentina under Grosso have the capacity to trouble their opponents and boast enough attacking quality to find the net. However, the historical head-to-head in Rome and the overall strength of the hosts tip the prediction in Roma's favor.

For the home side, this is their opening official game of the league campaign, while Levante have already played their first-round match, suffering a painful 0-3 defeat to Espanyol.

• Also read: Elche vs Barcelona: Can Hansi Flick's side make a confident start to the season?

Pamplona's side approach the start of the national championship after an intense pre-season. The team made targeted reinforcements in both defense and attack (signing Diego Rico and Jonatan Dubasin) to compensate for Víctor Muñoz's move to Liverpool. The main attacking force for the Navarrese remains the experienced Croatian striker Ante Budimir, who netted 17 goals in La Liga last season.

At their home ground, El Sadar, Osasuna traditionally kick off matches with aggression, imposing a physical battle, intense counter-pressing, and frequent crosses into the box.

The Valencian "Frogs" got off to a disastrous start in the league, conceding three unanswered goals to Espanyol (0-3). Portuguese manager Luís Castro's side is clearly struggling with coordination in central defense and transitions from attack to defense.

In Pamplona, Levante will have to play as the underdogs in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The visitors' main hope will be quick counterattacks down the flanks through Víctor García and Roger Brugué, as well as set pieces.

• Osasuna: Herrera - Arguibide, Boyomo, Catena, Bretones - Muñoz, Moncayola, Oroz - García, Moro, Budimir
• Levante: Ryan - Toljan, Adri, Mandi, Sánchez - Rey, Olasagasti, Bardeli - García, Brugué, Romero

Both teams are built around a destructive, physical style of play. Head-to-heads between Osasuna and Getafe rarely produce open, attacking football, so a low-scoring affair is the most likely scenario. My prediction: Total goals under 2.5.

• Also read: First test for Amorim. Prediction for Torino vs Milan.

Bologna finished last season in eighth place. Following Vincenzo Italiano’s departure to Beşiktaş, the club entrusted the team to Domenico Tedesco, who signed a contract until summer 2028. At the same time, the squad underwent significant changes: John Lucumí and Santiago Castro departed, while newcomers include Artem Dovbyk, Roberto Piccoli, and Mikel Amondarayn.

Pre-season preparations were far from ideal for the hosts. Bologna wrapped up with a 0-1 defeat to Brighton, and their overall run of friendlies was inconsistent. Tedesco will have to pay special attention to home form: last season, Bologna picked up 12 points fewer at Dall’Ara than on the road—the worst such disparity among clubs in Europe’s big five leagues.

Nevertheless, the new coach has plenty of options in attack. Riccardo Orsolini remains a key figure, Jonathan Rowe can also operate on the flanks, and Dovbyk is battling Piccoli for the center-forward spot. At the moment, the Ukrainian striker is seen as the most likely starter.

It’s a new era in Rome as well—Gennaro Gattuso has taken the helm. During pre-season, his side posted solid results: big wins over Flaminia (6-0), Avellino (6-3), Ascoli, Ostiamare (4-0), and Frosinone (2-1). However, the first official match completely changed the mood around the team.

On August 16, Lazio suffered a sensational 0-2 home defeat to Serie B side Mantova and crashed out of the Coppa Italia. Both goals were conceded late, and it was Gattuso’s first official game in charge. Now, the team’s response in Bologna is one of the main storylines of the opening round.

Lazio’s squad has also changed significantly over the summer. Ivan Provedel moved to Inter, Mario Gila to Milan, but Davide Frattesi, Danilho Doekhi, and Alfonso Pedraza have joined. As a result, Gattuso could hand several new signings their debuts right from the first whistle.

Official starting XIs have yet to be announced, of course. According to the latest from Sky Sport, Bologna have no players definitively ruled out, though Martin Vitik has recently recovered from a muscle injury—his expected return date is August 24. For Lazio, Sky lists Gustav Isaksen, Alessio Romagnoli, Danilo Cataldi, and Patric as unavailable. No suspensions have been reported for this match.

Meanwhile, Mattia Zaccagni’s status should be monitored up to matchday: the latest injury tracker indicated a muscle issue and a projected return on August 23, but Sky still predicts the Lazio captain will start.

• Probable Bologna lineup: Skorupski — Zortea, Heggem, Helland, Miranda — Ferguson, El Azzouzi, Bernardeschi — Orsolini, Dovbyk, Rowe.
• Probable Lazio lineup: Mandas — Marusic, Doekhi, Provstgaard, Pedraza — Taylor, Rovella, Frattesi — Noslin, Dia, Zaccagni.

• In the teams’ most recent meeting at Renato Dall’Ara, on March 22, 2026, Lazio won 2-0 thanks to a brace from Kenneth Taylor.
• Two of the last three head-to-heads ended in draws: 1-1 in Serie A in December 2025, and 1-1 in the Coppa Italia in February 2026.
• Historically, the rivalry is almost dead even: Bologna have 61 wins, Lazio 60, and there have been 45 draws.
• Bookmakers make the hosts slight favorites: a Bologna win is priced around 2.20, a draw at 3.20, and a Lazio win at 3.40.

Backing a straight Bologna win here is a risky proposition. The team is still adapting to Tedesco’s methods, pre-season form was patchy, and last season’s home record shows that Dall’Ara hasn’t always offered the expected advantage.

But there are even more question marks around Lazio. Gattuso’s squad has undergone major changes, several players are unavailable, and the 0-2 home defeat to a Serie B side was a rough first official test. The Romans could bounce back after their cup exit, but it’s hard to trust them away against an opponent of similar quality right now.

Bologna enjoy more favorable conditions to start the season and, according to the bookies, are deservedly considered favorites. However, the recent history between the teams and both sides’ instability suggest a draw is a real possibility. That’s why the best bet looks to be the hosts with insurance.

Prediction: Bologna will not lose (1X).

• See also: Bundesliga representative must avoid a cup upset: prediction for Hallescher vs Schalke 04

The team has enjoyed a strong start to the new campaign and heads into this cup clash on the back of three consecutive victories. Altglienicke have beaten Greifswalder 3-1, Hertha's reserves 3-1, and Hallescher 2-1, having previously drawn twice - 2-2 against Babelsberg and 3-3 versus Erzgebirge Aue.

Their high-scoring form is particularly notable: both teams have found the net in each of Altglienicke's last six matches, with the total goals always exceeding 2.5. However, such an attacking approach may not be enough when facing one of the strongest squads in the 2. Bundesliga.

Wolfsburg are adapting quickly to life after relegation. In the opening two rounds of the 2. Bundesliga, they've collected four points - drawing 0-0 with Kaiserslautern and defeating Hannover 1-0.

The main positive is their defense: the Wolves have yet to concede a single goal after two rounds. With a squad that remains very strong by second-division standards, Wolfsburg should be able to dominate possession and create the bulk of chances against their Regionalliga opponents already in the first half.

• Altglienicke have won their last three official matches in a row.
• Wolfsburg have kept clean sheets in both of their opening 2. Bundesliga fixtures.
• Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals have landed in each of Altglienicke's last six matches.

The hosts are in fine form and scoring regularly, but the gulf between the Regionalliga and one of the 2. Bundesliga's strongest squads is simply too wide. Wolfsburg are expected to seize possession from the outset and gradually pin their opponents back.

If the visitors maintain the defensive solidity they've shown at the start of the season, Altglienicke will have few chances to challenge on equal terms. The most logical expectation is that the favorite will be leading by halftime and continue to dominate after the break.

• See also: Roma kicks off the season after a strong finish: prediction for Roma vs Fiorentina

Ralf Santelli’s squad kicked off their 3. Liga campaign with four points from two matches, currently sitting in third place. The Kickers are eyeing back-to-back promotions, even though their recent DFB-Pokal campaigns have been far from successful.

The hosts have crashed out in the first round five seasons in a row, but they’ve consistently caused problems for their opponents, scoring at least twice in three of their last four cup matches. Their home form is especially impressive: Würzburger are unbeaten in 16 consecutive official matches on their own turf, winning 12 of them.

Köln finished last season just 14th in the Bundesliga, collecting 32 points - only three clear of the relegation playoff zone. Down the stretch, the team managed just nine points in their final 14 matches, making their survival in the top flight a nerve-wracking affair.

This summer, René Wagner was confirmed as the permanent head coach after serving in an interim capacity. Preseason was promising - four wins and a draw - but the away issues remain: Köln did not win a single one of their last 13 official away games last season.

• Würzburger Kickers are unbeaten in their last 16 official home matches, winning 12.
• Köln failed to win any of their last 13 official away matches last season.
• Würzburger have been eliminated in the first round of the DFB-Pokal for five consecutive seasons.

On paper and by squad quality, Köln remain the favorites, but their away record raises serious doubts. The hosts, meanwhile, are in great form and haven’t lost at home in a long time.

If Würzburger can withstand the early pressure, they have every chance to capitalize on the visitors’ struggles and turn this into an open contest. Given the current circumstances, a sensational home victory looks entirely possible.

• Read also: Düsseldorf vs Freiburg: Prediction, facts, betting tips and H2H

But it’s precisely in the German Cup that such encounters often turn into a real test for the favorites.Verl have started the new season disastrously. Orist Shala’s team sits second from bottom in the Third League after two rounds, still without a single point. First, Verl lost 1-4 away to Alemannia, then suffered a 2-4 defeat at home to Duisburg. In that second match, the hosts led 2-0, but after Paul Lehmann was sent off, the opposition managed to turn the game around. Lehmann will now miss the cup tie due to suspension.Hamburg’s story is quite different. Merlin Polzin’s side haven’t played an official match yet this season, so this cup clash will be HSV’s competitive debut. Their last dress rehearsal came on August 15 in France, where they beat Toulouse 2-1. Otto Stange scored in the fourth minute, and Albert Grønbaek sealed the win in stoppage time.Polzin has plenty of attacking options at his disposal. The squad features Robert Glatzel, Yussuf Poulsen, Patson Daka, Jean-Luc Dompé, Ryan Philipp, and the young Otto Stange. It’s this depth and individual quality that should give the visitors a clear edge. The coach has already confirmed that Sander Tangvik will start in goal, while first-choice keeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes will begin on the bench.For Verl, the formula for success is simple: don’t concede early, stay compact, and make the most of their chances. After two defeats, the team will be especially motivated to redeem themselves in front of their fans. Knocking a Bundesliga club out of the Cup would be a story to remember for years.For Hamburg, it’s crucial not to fall into the classic cup trap. On August 29, HSV open their Bundesliga campaign against Borussia Dortmund, so unnecessary drama, extra time, or injuries are definitely not in Polzin’s plans.All things considered, Hamburg look like the favorites. The visitors have a stronger squad, more high-level experience, and far superior individual skill. Verl can make things nervy and will try to use their home advantage, but if HSV avoid complacency, the class difference should be decisive.

My prediction: total goals over 2.5.

The IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans secured their spot in the Eliminator round by finishing in fourth position on the points table in the league stage. In their final league stage match, ITT suffered a 45-run defeat against Salem Spartans. The defeat further indicates their inconsistency with form, as they have now lost three of their seven games. However, they will take confidence in the eliminator round, having already beaten Vida Kovai Kings by four wickets during the league phase.

Amit Sathvik, Tushar Raheja, K Wafar, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, M Mathivannan, Mohan Prasath, Ragupathy Silambarasan, Pranay Ragavendra, T Natarajan

Vida Kovai Kings (VKK) finished the league stage in third spot following an impressive three-match winning streak. They began the winning streak with a 116-run victory over Trichy Grand Cholas, followed by a five-wicket win against Chepauk Super Gillies. VKK then defeated Dindigul Dragons by 85 runs via the DLS method in their final league outing. With momentum firmly on their side, VKK will be hoping to continue their strong form in Monday’s crucial encounter. A victory would take them into the second qualifier and give them a clearer route to the final.

Vida Kovai Kings (VKK) XI:

Radhakrishnan, Suresh Lokeshwar, Balasubramaniam Sachin, C Andre Siddarth, M Shahrukh Khan (C), RS Ambrish, Madhava Prasad, Manimaran Siddharth, Jhatavedh Subramanyan, G Kishoor, K Deeban Lingesh

Both teams will head into the eliminator round aiming to secure a crucial win that will secure their passage to the second qualifier. However, considering that Kovai Kings are enjoying a great momentum heading into this game, I will back them to win the match with 1xBet offering 1.95 odds.