Groups E to H are in Champions League action on Tuesday and we take a look at 3 of the matches from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where Manchester City are edging favouritism at 7/2 ahead of Bayern Munich priced at 79/20. You can get 5/1 Liverpool, 11/2 PSG, 31/4 Chelsea and 16/1 Manchester United with the balance available at 22/1 or better.
Click here for Champions League Outright Betting including Top Goal Scorer where Robert Lewandowski is trading as the 11/20 favourite.
VILLARREAL v MANCHESTER UNITED
This is a crucial game in Group F as the teams sit level at the top on 7 points after 4 matches, but Atalanta are just 2 points behind them in 3rd.
Villarreal started poorly with a draw at home to Atalanta and a defeat at Old Trafford and have subsequently beaten Young Boys 4-1 on the road and 2-0 at home.
Manchester United slumped to a 4-1 defeat to Watford in the League on the weekend and that prompted the axing of their manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. What impact that will have on the team we will start to find out this week. To date Manchester United’s only loss was away at Young Boys and they followed that with home wins over Villarreal, Atalanta and a 2-2 draw on the road with Atalanta last time out.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Villarreal 37/20
Draw 5/2
Manchester United 15/10
Suggested Bet: The draw at 5/2
I pondered the goal markets as Manchester United games in particular have been high scoring, but the 7/10 over 2.5 goals was just that bit short to get me involved. I think this will be a closely fought affair and with a home game against Young Boys to come I think Manchester United would be quite happy to walk away with a draw.
BARCELONA v BENFICA
This is a crucial game in Group E with Barcelona sitting 2nd in the group, 2 points ahead of Benfica in 3rd. Barcelona recovered from back-to-back defeats at home to Bayern and away at Benfica to beat Dynamo Kiev home and away by 1 goal margins. Subsequent to the last win over Dynamo Kiev they played two League games, drawing 3-3 at Celta Vigo and beating Espanyol 1-0 at home on the weekend.
Benfica had to come through the qualifying stages and after starting the group stage strongly with a draw and a victory, they have had back-to-back defeats a home to Bayern Munich 4-0 and away at Bayern by 5-2. They have been in good form domestically with two big victories in the League and Cup in their last starts.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Barcelona 13/20
Draw 33/10
Benfica 79/20
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Benfica (+1) at 5/4
I still don’t feel Barcelona are in a good place and Benfica are playing some confident football and I think they are capable of springing a surprise whether that be a victory or a draw. For this bet to arrive we need them to avoid defeat.
CHELSEA v JUVENTUS
This is a top of the table clash in Group H with Chelsea currently trailing Juventus by 3 points. Their only defeat so far was a 1-0 defeat at Juventus and their two home games were a 1-0 victory over Zenit and a 4-0 win over Malmo. Last time out they beat Malmo 1-0 on the road.
Juventus have a 100% record this season and beat Zenit 4-2 at home last time out. Their two away games was a 1-0 victory over Zenit and a 3-0 win over Malmo.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Chelsea 7/10
Draw 29/10
Juventus 17/4
Suggested Bet: Chelsea win at 7/10
I am going to keep this simple and stick with a straight Chelsea win. They had an excellent 3-0 away win over Leicester in the League on the weekend and while Juventus are also in good form, I think the home ground advantage will swing this one.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
