We take a look at Wednesday night’s Champions League action where our focus is on matches in Groups E, F and H.
You can click here for all the latest Outright Champions League Markets where Manchester City and PSG are trading as 4/1 joint favourites going into this week’s matches.
BENFICA v BARCELONA
Group E looks a tough one with Bayern Munich and Dynamo Kiev the other teams.
Benfica opened their points account with a goalless draw against Dynamo Kiev away in their opener and prior to that they had come through the qualification to book their spot in the group stages. They have won both League matches since that Champions League fixture.
Barcelona started underdogs at home to Bayern Munich, but would have been stunned by the 3-0 loss they suffered at the hands of the German giants. This puts them under pressure in the group and of further concern is that their League form hasn’t been great as while they won 3-0 at home to Levante on the weekend they had drawn their previous two fixtures.
These sides haven't met since 2012 when the sides drew at Barcelona and Barcelona won 2-0 at Benfica.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Benfica 37/20
Draw 49/20
Barcelona 15/10
Suggested Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 15/20
Barcelona’s defence looks a bit shaky and Benfica’s recent League form suggests we can get plenty of goals and I expect a much more attacking approach from them now that they are back at home.
MANCHESTER UNITED v VILLARREAL
This is a Group F fixture and both teams will be looking to get their first win of the season.
Manchester United were shocked 2-1 away from home by big outsiders in the group, Young Boys, in their opening game. They were also beaten 1-0 at home in the League on the weekend and having looked good early in the season, they are not far away from heading back into crisis mode.
Villarreal played to a 2-2 home draw against Atalanta in their opener and they have only won 1 of their last 10 matches, drawing 8.
These sides last met in the Europa League in 2020/2021 with Villarreal winning on penalties.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Manchester United 5/10
Draw 73/20
Villarreal 21/4
Suggested Bet: The draw at 73/20
Manchester United’s confidence has been rocked and although Villarreal are not a team that wins a lot of games, they have a very high draw percentage and I think getting just under 3.5/1 for our money is some decent value.
JUVENTUS v CHELSEA
This is a Group H fixture with both sides having won their opening match.
Juventus beat Malmo 3-0 on the road and domestically they are coming off back-to-back victories at home to Sampdoria and away to Spezia both by 3-2 margins.
Chelsea beat Zenit 1-0 at home in their opener and they were travelling very well domestically up until the weekend when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Manchester City.
These sides haven't met in a Champions League match since 2012 when Juventus beat Chelsea 3-0 at home in a group fixture.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Juventus 31/10
Draw 51/20
Chelsea 19/20
Suggested Bet: Both teams to score, YES, at 9/10
Chelsea look quite short for my money given their confidence would have taken a bit of a knock from that Manchester City defeat and the bet I fancy here is that both teams will score and it is a common occurrence in Juventus matches with 8 of their last 11 games in all competitions seeing both teams find the net.
Click here for betting on all of the UEFA Champions League matches.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
