Groups E to H conclude their Champions League group stage on Wednesday and we select 3 of the matches to have a bet on.
ZENIT v CHELSEA
This is a Group H match and is one of the early kick-offs. Zenit are currently 3rd in the group, 8 points behind leaders Chelsea with Juventus just behind Chelsea on goal difference. Chelsea will be looking to win this match to finish top of the group.
Let’s start with a look at Zenit’s form which has been poor with only 1 win in 5 matches. Last time out they drew 1-1 at Malmo and in their visit to Chelsea they put up a better fight than expected going down 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in Matchday 1. Zenit were disappointing on the weekend, drawing to FK Rostov at home, a game in which they started 1/5 favourites.
Chelsea took a big step towards winning the group when they hammered Juventus 4-0 at home last time out. Prior to that they edged Malmo 1-0 on the road and their only defeat was a 1-0 defeat at Juventus in Matchday 2. Chelsea were rocked in the Premier League on the weekend when they went down 3-2 on the road at West Ham, their 1st loss in 12 matches.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Zenit 5/1
Draw 67/20
Chelsea 11/20
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Chelsea (-1) at 14/10
For this bet to arrive we need Chelsea to win by more than a goal and I expect them to go after the victory with the aim of wrapping up top spot on the log. There is an argument that they just need to win, but I can see them starting quickly and if they do get ahead, Zenit are going to be forced to come forward and will be vulnerable on the counter.
BAYERN MUNICH v BARCELONA
At the start of the season we might have expected this Group E clash would decide which team tops the group, but in fact Bayern Munich have romped into the next round with 5 wins in 5 starts. Barcelona on the other hand are currently sitting 2nd in the group, just 2 points ahead of Benfica who play Dynamo Kiev and so a loss to Bayern Munich could well see them exit the Tournament at the group stages.
Bayern Munich’s last start was a 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev and their 2 home games have been a 5-2 over Benfica and a 5-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev. They saw off Dortmund 3-2 on the road in the Domestic League on Saturday.
Barcelona battled back after losing their opening games against Bayern Munich and Benfica, but they were disappointing in their goalless draw with Benfica at home last time out. They were also beaten 1-0 by Betis at home in the League on the weekend.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Bayern Munich 7/10
Draw 71/20
Barcelona 34/10
Suggested Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 19/20
Barcelona may be forced to go after the win and even though Bayern Munich know that they can afford to lose this game, they still start as worthy favourites and can take advantage of the holes Barcelona will leave at the back. I think we could get goals at both ends here and hopefully 4 or more in total.
ATALANTA v VILLARREAL
This match takes place in Group F where Villarreal are 2nd, 3 points behind Manchester United, but just 1 point ahead of Atalanta in 3rd. A draw would be enough to see Villarreal through while Atalanta need the win.
Atalanta are without a win in their last 3 starts and last time were disappointing drawing 3-3 at Young Boys. Their last home game was a 2-2 draw with Manchester United and 4 of their 5 group matches have seen at least 4 goals scored.
Villarreal were beaten 2-0 at home by Manchester United last time out and their away matches have seen them beat Young Boys 4-1 and lose 2-1 to Manchester United.
These sides drew 2-2 when they met at Villarreal in Matchday 1.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Atalanta 15/20
Draw 31/10
Villarreal 16/5
Suggested Bet: Atalanta win at 15/20
This should be one of the matches of the round and goal punters may be tempted by the 33/20 over 3.5 goals which would have arrived in Atalanta’s last 3 matches. Looking at the way these sides are playing though I have to side with the home team and think that the safer bet is just the straight win on Atalanta.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
