The competitive season kicks off tonight, with the first round of Champions League qualifiers. There are many little known sides competing – but the stand out bet actually comes from these shores – well, Scotland – as Celtic take on Dinamo Moscow at Hampden.

Celtic have been backed into 8/11 from an initial 5/6 – and it is not difficult to see why. Their home form in Europe is excellent, and they come into this game on the back of two encouraging wins in the Wembley Cup (most recently against Spurs, 2-0). Tony Mowbray has re-instilled the attractive football that was gradually being eradicated under Strachan and also brought in a couple of exciting signings – Marc Antoine-Fortune could get a hatful next season. There is a feelgood factor around the club, and a real conviction they can wrestle back the title from Rangers that they should never have lost in the first place.

So to their opponents. Dinamo are in poor form, and subject to terrace abuse after winning only four of their last ten games, including being knocked out of the cup by a lower league side. They are missing a couple of key players to injury also, and have lost the heart of what made them a more fearsome proposition three or four years ago (Danny the most notable).

There are a number of compelling arguments for the Scots, who will be keenly aware they need home advantage due to their poor away form. They are still value at a slightly shortened 8/11.

Celtic @ 8/11 (Boyles, SkyBet, Ladbrokes) – 2 points

For the first eight minutes it all looked so good… United attacked vibrantly and had several attempts on goal. It looked a matter of time. And then Barcelona scored… and it all went wrong.

All our post match reasoning went to pot once United had to chase the game, and it seemed they hadn’t planned for it either. They lacked invention, wit and guile and offered pretty much nothing for the rest of the match.

It was a hugely disappointing result for United – and for us!

Password protection removed 16/04 16.51

Arsenal v Villarreal

These two sides drew 1-1 in Spain; and Arsenal are hot favourites to progress, as short as 2/9 in places. Villarreal, already without midfielder Santi Cazorla, will also miss the influential Marcos Senna at the Emirates; and are a lesser team without him. They were taken aback by the tempo of Arsenal’s game in the first leg, and at home the Gunners will up that further. Fabregas is back and looking fit and refreshed, and though they miss Arshavin, they still have the attacking might of Adebayor, Van Persie, Walcott, Bendtner, Nasri, Eduardo… need I go on? But what also points to Arsenal is their excellent defensive record, particularly at home; they’ve only conceded one goal in their last eleven home matches in all competitions; and have an identical record in the Champions League. Their back-line is a little depleted (Gallas is out for the season, possibly joined by Clichy and Djorou) but they should still be too strong for a Villarreal side without arguably their best two players. To qualify is much too short to follow – but there is some value in the 4/7 on Arsenal to win the match.

Arsenal @ 4/7 (BetFred) – 2 points

The price is shorter than usual for a draw in this one – 2.92 – but there is still value there.

Utd need just a draw to progress, and will be happy with one. Villareal will also be glad of a point at Old Trafford. In these situations, a draw happens far more often than the standard odds – and though the price reflects that, all things considered, it is still a good bed.

Man Utd – Villareal

Draw @ 2.92 (Betfair)