There has been a high turnover of players at the Falkirk Stadium this summer and manager John McGlynn is being linked with the Scotland job. The Bairns will need more McGlynn magic this season, but the opening game of the campaign may come too soon for Falkirk.

Second-placed Viking have failed to keep a clean sheet in six straight matches, and they head to a Start side that has scored in five of six home matches. However, the hosts are bottom of the table, suffering nine defeats in 15, and they’ve lost their first three meetings with the top two by an aggregate score of 15-4.

Basel struggled for clean sheets last season, and they gave up 1.19 xG in their win at Servette last weekend. Lausanne can get forward and find the net with seven of the last eight head-to-head clashes seeing both teams score, but title-hopefuls Basel should get the three points.

Salzburg won just six of their 16 home matches last term, finishing their campaign with a 3-1 home defeat to Hartberg. The visitors only suffered three away defeats last season, and they could capitalise on teething problems for Danny Rohl, who has struggled early in his last two management jobs.

Two of the top three in Sweden’s second tier meet on Saturday, and Falkenberg are bidding to add to a brilliant away record. The visitors have scored at least twice in every away trip, and 75% of their away games have featured at least four goals. Varberg have averaged 1.88 goals per game at home, so back a high-scoring clash.

Brage have only won one of their last seven matches, but they’ve still scored 15 times in that run, netting at least twice on six occasions. The hosts have netted over two goals per home game this season, and they should be good for another couple of goals on Saturday.

Young Boys have scored three or more goals in four straight league matches, including a 4-2 victory over Sion last week and an 8-3 win at this ground in May. Thun started their campaign with a 3-1 win on the road last week, but they were beaten 3-2 at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

Viking have scored three goals or more in five of their 14 Eliteserien games this season and over 3.5 goals is the recommended bet for Saturday’s clash at Sor Arena, where IK Start host Viking.

Sandviken have won their last three home matches, despite conceding twice in each. They host a GIF Sundsvall side that has lost 13 of 16 league games this season, but the visitors have at least scored in three straight away matches.

Second-placed Viking have failed to keep a clean sheet in six straight matches, and they head to a Start side that has scored in five of six home matches. However, the hosts are bottom of the table, suffering nine defeats in 15, and they’ve lost their first three meetings with the top two by an aggregate score of 15-4.

Basel struggled for clean sheets last season, and they gave up 1.19 xG in their win at Servette last weekend. Lausanne can get forward and find the net with seven of the last eight head-to-head clashes seeing both teams score, but title-hopefuls Basel should get the three points.

Both teams have scored in Rochdale’s last five competitive fixtures and Tranmere had the leakiest defence in League Two last season. This could be an EFL Cup clash in which both teams find the net.

Fredrikstad look the best bet when they host Sandefjord in Eliteserien on Saturday. Sandefjord are without a win in six Eliteserien games and have lost four of their last six, including their last four on the road.

There has been a high turnover of players at the Falkirk Stadium this summer and manager John McGlynn is being linked with the Scotland job. The Bairns will need more McGlynn magic this season, but the opening game of the campaign may come too soon for Falkirk.

Ayr won all four of their League Cup matches, including home victories in their last two matches. They can continue that fine form against an Arbroath side that lost two of their last three matches.

Both teams have scored in Rochdale’s last five competitive fixtures and Tranmere had the leakiest defence in League Two last season. This could be an EFL Cup clash in which both teams find the net.

Both teams scored in three of Queen’s Park’s four League Cup matches, and they head to a Livingston side that scored 11 times across their four cup matches.

Both teams have scored in six of IK Start’s last eight Eliteserien games and in Viking’s last three, and the reverse fixture saw Viking claim a 6-3 victory.

Basel struggled for clean sheets last season, and they gave up 1.19 xG in their win at Servette last weekend. Lausanne can get forward and find the net with seven of the last eight head-to-head clashes seeing both teams score.

The last two meetings between these two teams have finished level and on paper there is little to split this pair once again. A 1-1 correct score pick is fancied, with penalties potentially needed to see who progresses.

Aberdeen won all four of their Scottish League Cup group stage games, scoring 12 goals in the process and the Dons could be heading for a 2-0 success in their season opener in the Granite City.

Viking have scored three goals or more in five of their 14 Eliteserien games this season and over 3.5 goals is the recommended bet for Saturday’s clash at Sor Arena, where IK Start host Viking.

It has been a summer of change for Hearts, with Derek McInnes leaving and another huge turnover of players, and while there is belief that Jamestown Analytics will make the right decisions, it could take a little while for the Jambos to get up to speed.

Salzburg won just six of their 16 home matches last term, finishing their campaign with a 3-1 home defeat to Hartberg. The visitors only suffered three away defeats last season, and they could capitalise on teething problems for Danny Rohl, who has struggled early in his last two management jobs.

Young Boys have scored three or more goals in four straight league matches, including a 4-2 victory over Sion last week and an 8-3 win at this ground in May. Thun started their campaign with a 3-1 win on the road last week, but they were beaten 3-2 at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

Nisbet scored six times across his four appearances in the League Cup, and he is aiming to build on a strong campaign last term, where he scored nine times in the Premiership for Aberdeen.

Young Boys were big winners at this ground in May, and they can follow up an impressive 4-2 win in their opener with another high-scoring win. The hosts played through extra time in Croatia in midweek, and that added strain of playing three games in a week is a world away from last term, when they raced to the Swiss title after winning promotion. Young Boys are the fresher side, and they can outscore the champions on their way to another three points.

Young Boys have scored three or more goals in four straight league matches, including a 4-2 victory over Sion last week and an 8-3 win at this ground in May. Thun started their campaign with a 3-1 win on the road last week, but they were beaten 3-2 at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

Portsmouth spent last season battling the drop and seem set for another season of struggle. They have made some bold transfer moves but they have signed players unproven in this league, and don’t necessarily seem any stronger than they were last season so they are among the contenders to drop down to League One.

Cambridge won promotion last term and are yet to really strengthen their team. The U’s spend four years in League One before a campaign in League Two last term, and they only finished higher than 18th in one of those seasons. Of all the promoted teams, Cambridge are perhaps the most likely to drop straight back down.

Tranmere lost 20 of their final 26 games last season and only avoided the drop by two points. The two teams that came up from the National League should be competitive and that should result in an intense relegation fight, and Rovers look likely to be involved.

Valerenga are in form as they have won back-to-back games, scoring nine goals in the process. HamKam are on a three-game losing run and have just three points to show from seven Eliteserien trips so far. The hosts should be able to win fairly comfortably.

Both teams have scored in all of the last seven meetings between these teams, and they have shared at least four goals in the last five encounters. Dundee United have a slight fitness edge having played four League Cup games already, so BTTS appeals.

Bodo/Glimt have won their last four games without conceding and they can pick up another three points and another clean sheet against Lillestrom. The visitors have lost twice to Glimt without scoring in 2026, and both of their away defeats in the league this season have seen them fail to score.

Shamrock Rovers have seen BTTS land in four of their last five league matches, and they beat Ararat-Armenia 2-1 in midweek. Drogheda have scored 14 times at home this term, and they drew 2-2 with Sligo Rovers last week.

Valerenga have conceded in each of their last 12 league games and HamKam have only failed to score in two of their seven trips. That suggests goals at both ends could be on the cards, but the hosts have scored at least three goals in each of their last four wins and they can ease to victory.

Club Brugge won the Super Cup 2-1 a year ago, but a reverse could be on the cards. Brugge have scored in three straight friendly defeats, and they meet a USG side who have beaten Lille, AGF, and Anderlecht while conceding across their last three matches. 

Shamrock Rovers have won and conceded in three of their last four matches, and they head to a struggling Drogheda side who have lost 11 of their 25 matches this term. The hosts have conceded twice in six of their last seven outings, so back Rovers to win and concede.

Both teams have scored in all of the last seven meetings between these teams, and they have shared at least four goals in the last five encounters. The Gers are expected to improve under former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, so back them to win a high-scoring contest.

Lucas Haren is Valerenga’s top scorer this season with six goals in the league and three of those have come in his last two games. The Danish forward can continue his hot-streak against HamKam on Friday.

Jens Hauge has been used sparingly since returning to Glimt from the World Cup but should be restored to the starting side after he scored and provided an assist as a second half substitute in the win over Sandefjord last time out. If he is involved from the off, he is the standout contender for an anytime goal.

Drogheda have conceded at least twice in six of their last seven league games, including their last three home games. The league leaders have scored at least twice in four of their last six matches across all competitions, and they can impress again.

All four of Club Brugge’s preseason friendlies have seen at least three goals scored, and USG have been in impressive attacking form ahead of the new campaign. The pair have shared three goals in this competition in back-to-back years, and they can do so again.

Over 3.5 goals has landed in five of Sligo Rovers’ last seven matches, and the league’s bottom club are set to struggle this weekend. Dundalk are winless in four and they need a response, but they’ve been a bit more free-flowing against the league’s weaker sides, so goals should be on the cards here.

Glimt have scored six goals without reply in two meetings with Lillestrom in 2026. The hosts have won their last two games 3-0 and they can score a few goals in another routine victory.

Shamrock Rovers have seen BTTS land in four of their last five league matches, and they beat Ararat-Armenia 2-1 in midweek. Drogheda have scored 14 times at home this term, and they drew 2-2 with Sligo Rovers last week.

Both teams have scored in Dundalk’s last five matches, and they’ve found the net in every home game this term. Sligo Rovers have conceded in their last nine matches, but they’ve scored twice in three of their last four and they can be competitive here.

Both teams have scored in all of the last seven meetings between these teams, and they have shared at least four goals in the last five encounters. Dundee United have a slight fitness edge having played four League Cup games already, so BTTS appeals.

There have been at least four goals in all of their last five meetings between Dundee United and Rangers and the Gers won the most recent contest 4-2. The Ibrox outfit look set for another high-scoring success and 3-1 could be the best correct score option.

Glimt have scored six goals without reply in two meetings with Lillestrom in 2026. The hosts have won their last two games 3-0 and can make it a hat-trick of wins by that scoreline on Friday.