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Sturm Graz v Club Brugge
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Kick Off: Wednesday 2nd October at 20:00
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Competition: Champions League
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Watch Live: TNT Sports 9
Austrian side Sturm Graz will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 loss to Brest in their opening Champions League fixture.
Their next game is against Belgian outfit Club Brugge, who also suffered a tough start to their European campaign. Brugge were defeated 3-0 at home by last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund, with English youngster Jamie Gittens shining by scoring a brace.
Both teams are eager to recover from their opening matchday setbacks and get their Champions League campaigns back on track.
⭐ Sturm Graz v Club Brugge Best Bets
Sturm Graz has earned a reputation for being one of the more physical and aggressive teams in European football. The Austrians have averaged over 15 fouls per game this season, a reflection of their intense, hard-tackling style. In their last three matches alone, they’ve received at least three cards in each game, accumulating a total of 12 yellow cards and three red cards.
This aggressive play style makes them prime candidates to pick up multiple bookings in this match. Notably, 75% of Club Brugge’s last four opponents have been shown at least three yellow cards, suggesting good value in backing Sturm Graz to receive over 2.5 cards in this encounter.
🔍 Sturm Graz v Club Brugge Players to Watch
🔵 Christos Tzolis
Greek winger Christos Tzolis has been a key player for Club Brugge this season, making a significant impact from the left flank. Tzolis has consistently posed a threat in front of goal, taking 24 shots this season, which averages out to 3.44 shots per 90 minutes.
His relentless attacking has seen him take at least two shots in each of his last five matches, underlining the threat he poses. Sturm Graz will need to be highly aware of Tzolis’ movement and shooting ability, as he is likely to play a central role in Brugge’s offensive strategy.
🔵 Gustaf Nilsson
Swedish striker Gustaf Nilsson has been in excellent form for Club Brugge, contributing to seven goals in his first nine Belgian Pro League matches this season.
Nilsson has demonstrated his ability to get into dangerous areas and create chances, registering 21 shots so far this season, with 10 of those on target. This gives him an average of 1.55 shots on target per 90 minutes.
Nilsson enters this match on a hot streak, having managed five shots on target across his last four games. His sharp finishing and aerial presence will be key as Brugge looks to break down Sturm Graz’s defence.
⚫️ Otar Kiteishvili
Georgian forward Otar Kiteishvili has been a standout performer for Sturm Graz this season, contributing four goal involvements in their opening seven games.
His attacking output has been notable, averaging 2.27 shots per 90 minutes, with 0.7 of these hitting the target. Kiteishvili is heading into this match in decent form, having taken eight shots in his last three matches. His ability to drive at defences and create scoring opportunities will be crucial if Sturm Graz is to overcome Brugge’s backline.
📂 Sturm Graz v Club Brugge Cheat Sheet
The second week of the Champions League is littered with action and our signature football betting predictions are on hand to help. Make sure to check out our Champions League accumulator tips and Champions League bet builder tips to help you back a winner for the first week of the Champions League.
Not only that, but we also have a selection of both teams to score tips, along with player prop market predictions to fold into bet builders, like our card betting tips, player shots on target tips, fouls betting tips, and anytime goalscorer tips.
If you enjoy this revamped betting preview, be sure to check out our bet builder stats tool, the best freely available data source for punting on football, available for all Champions League fixtures this week.
💻 Sturm Graz v Club Brugge Form and Tactics
When comparing the two teams’ tactical approaches, distinct differences emerge. Club Brugge tends to dominate possession, averaging 55% across their last four matches, compared to Sturm Graz’s 46%. This possession advantage has led Brugge to create more corners, averaging two more per game than their Austrian counterparts. They also boast a significantly higher expected goals (XG) rating, nearly double that of Sturm Graz over the last four games, indicating greater attacking efficiency.
On the flip side, Sturm Graz plays a more physical and aggressive game. They average over 16 fouls per match, while their opponents have committed fewer than 10 fouls per game on average. This aggressive approach has led to a higher card count for Sturm Graz, with the Austrians accumulating almost twice as many cards as Brugge, including two red cards in their last three games. Expect Sturm Graz to bring their typical physicality to this match, which could play a pivotal role in the flow of the game, especially in set-piece situations
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🏁 Sturm Graz v Club Brugge Ref Watch
- Aliyar Aghayev has distributed 20 cards in his last 5 matches, an average of 4 cards per match.
- During his last 9 European fixtures, he has averaged 4.33 yellow cards and no red cards. He has awarded 4 penalties during these fixtures.
- He has brandished just one red card during his 8 fixtures this campaign.
Football Predictions at Andy’s Bet Club
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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