UEFA Champions League: big names enter fray, with Rangers, Genk, Monaco, Shakhtar Donetsk in action Tuesday

So we are one week away from knowing the UEFA Champions League playoff matchups, with part of the ties set after the draw Monday.

But for the 14 teams playing Tuesday, that playoff round has to be put off in the distance: they have to get through the third round of qualification first.

Some very good league champions have come into the competition at this round, including Rangers and Shakhtar Donetsk, with AS Monaco and KRC Genk also joining.

When you take a look at the seven ties, I think five of them could be pretty interesting, although the quality of the teams could change that pretty quickly, as could a red card or two.

I am going to pick every game for you here today, but I have the most confidence in Crvena Zvezda and PSV to get big wins, as well as Monaco to get the jump on Sparta Prague.

Check Fubo.TV and Paramount+ for schedules

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD ROUND QUALIFICATION FIRST LEGS

Malmö (+235) v Rangers (+108), draw (+240), 1 p.m. EDT

Sparta Prague (+335) v AS Monaco (-122), draw (+255), 1 p.m. EDT

CFR Cluj (+230) v BSC Young Boys (+128), draw (+210), 2 p.m. EDT

KRC Genk (+200) v Shakhtar Donetsk (+125), draw (+240), 2 p.m. EDT

PSV Eindhoven (-455) v FC Midtjylland (+1100), draw (+500), 2 p.m. EDT

FK Crvena Zvezda (-305) v. FC Sheriff Tiraspol (+850), draw (+380), 3 p.m. EDT

Olympiakos Piraeus (-162) v Ludogorets Razgrad (+500), draw (+250), 3 p.m. EDT

THE PICKS:

Rangers ML (+108)

Monaco ML (-122)

BSC Young Boys ML (+128)

Shakhtar Donetsk ML (+125)

PSV Eindhoven -1.75 (-110)

Crvena Zvezda -1.5 (-112)

Olympiakos -0.75 (-118)

BONUS PLUS MONEY PLAYS:

Eindhoven over 2.5 goals (+110)

Crvena Zvezda over 2.5 goals (+150)