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UEFA Champions League: Matchday 5 Preview

Matchday 5 Preview

We’re into the penultimate round of group stage encounters with still plenty to fight for as teams look to book their place into the Round of 16, while staying in a European competition remains the task for others as they target third spot as a consolation prize, fighting for a place in the UEFA Europa League. 

This is undoubtedly the most crucial Matchday thus far, with many sides’ fate decided this week. Let’s take a closer look below at how it could pan out.

Tuesday 26 November


Group A


Galatasaray 29/20
Draw 47/20
Club Brugge 7/4

Tuesday’s early kick-off in Group A sees Club Brugge travel to Turkey to square off with Galatasaray. Only victory in Istanbul would give Club Brugge any hope of reaching the Last 16, while defeat for the hosts means that they’ll finish in fourth spot. These sides drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture and I’m expecting another share of the spoils here at 47/20.

Real Madrid 13/10
Draw 26/10
Paris Saint-Germain 18/10

Tuesday’s headline fixture will have very little meaning with Paris Saint-Germain already through to the knockout stages of the competition. The Parisians do, however, have top spot in mind as they look to do the double over Real Madrid after claiming a resounding 3-0 win in France. Having said that, just a point will be enough to finish as leaders. Madrid will also be through with a win, or if Galatasaray draw. With PSG possibly taking their foot off the gas in this tie, perhaps Madrid could be worth taking at 13/10.

Group B


Red Star Belgrade 7/1
Draw 9/2
Bayern Munich 3/10

Red Star will be looking to close the gap on the top two when they welcome Bayern Munich to Belgrade. The hosts have just three points to their name, beating Olympiacos, while the Serbs lost their other three group stage encounters. Bayern booked their spot in the next round on Matchday Four as they edged Olympiacos out 2-0 in Bavaria. The German champions beat Red Star 3-0 earlier in the competition, but having wrapped up qualification, the hosts will feel they have a shot of causing an upset. Both Teams to Score looks the best bet here at 13/20.

Tottenham 7/20
Draw 17/4
Olympiacos 7/1

Tottenham will be hoping to book their place in the Round of 16 when they welcome Olympiacos to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The hosts just need to win to ensure qualification, although Spurs could go through with a draw, provided Bayern Munich avoid defeat. Olympiacos have to win to have any hope of breaking the top two, however, there is still third spot to fight for. Back Spurs on the (-1) Handicap at 8/10.

Group C


Manchester City 1/5
Draw 57/10
Shakhtar Donetsk 10/1

Manchester City eye top spot in Group C when they host Shakhtar Donetsk this Tuesday. A win here would achieve that feat with a game to spare after a commanding 10 points from four games. Last year in the group stages, City smashed Shakhtar 6-0 in Manchester and after winning 3-0 in Ukraine, the English champions will be looking to emulate their previous performances against the Pitmen. Despite their differences this term, Shakhtar could still qualify with victory at the Etihad. At 5/10, I’d still strongly back Man City on the (-1) Handicap.

Atalanta 6/10
Draw 32/10
Dinamo Zagreb 4/1

Atalanta got their first points on the board last time out when they held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro Stadium. They did, however, lose 4-0 in Zagreb the last time these sides met. That’s now three games that Atalanta have failed to beat Dinamo Zagreb in, losing once and drawing twice. The visitors are yet to win on the road in any UEFA Champions League tie, drawing once and losing 14 times. I’d stick my neck out here and back the home win.


Group D


Lokomotiv Moscow 47/20
Draw 24/10
Bayer Leverkusen 11/10

It’s make or break in Group D as Lokomotiv Moscow look for their first home win in the competition, while Bayer Leverkusen are yet to find any positives from their time on the road as well. Both sides have three points each, with Lokomotiv’s only win coming against Leverkusen in a 2-1 win in Germany. Leverkusen are also yet to score away from home this campaign. My money is on the home win at a valuable 47/20.

Juventus 11/10
Draw 43/20
Atletico Madrid 26/10

In one of the biggest blockbusters to look forward to on Matchday Five, Atletico Madrid look to join Juventus in the next round of the competition when the two sides meet in Turin. These sides drew 2-2 in an entertaining thriller on Matchday One, and with Atleti pushing for a Last 16 berth, we could expect them to come out guns blazing yet again. Juventus will finish top of Group D with a victory here, but I’m expecting the Spaniards to be the hungrier of the two this Tuesday. Take the draw here at a decent price of 43/20.

Wednesday 27 November


Group E

Liverpool 11/20
Draw 32/10
Napoli 17/4

Another memorable night awaits Liverpool at Anfield as the European champions return to their fortress stadium to welcome Napoli to town. The Reds are in a strong position, claiming nine points from four matches and currently sit atop the standings in Group E. A win for Jurgen Klopp’s men here would see them advance as group winners. A win for Napoli will also see them book their spot in the next round, although Carlo Ancelotti’s side can also qualify if Genk can hold FC Salzburg to a draw. Right now, Liverpool are the best team in the world and at home, they’re a banker against just about any team. You could put all your belongings on the home win here – definitely one for the multiples as well.

Genk 33/10
Draw 34/10
FC Salzburg 13/20

Genk will be out to spoil the party and prolong the confirmation Salzburg’s next destination in Europe when the two sides meet on Wednesday. The hosts lie rock bottom of Group E and need a win to elevate themselves from that position. A draw here would secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League, at least, but the Austrian giants will be looking to go one better as they hope to break the top two. The visitors won 6-2 the last time they faced Genk and boast the competition’s top scorer in their ranks, Erling Braut Haaland, who has seven goals to his name. The Away Totals – Over 2.5 Goals – look profitable at 5/4, get on!

Group F


Slavia Prague 2/1
Draw 23/10
Inter Milan 27/20

Inter Milan face a tough test when they visit Slavia Prague. The Czech Republicans claimed emphatic draws away to Inter and Barcelona in Group F, but have lost both encounters on home soil thus far. Inter have found it tough in the so-called group of death, but they’ve still got more than third spot to fight for as they hope to break the top two in the next two matchdays. As mentioned, Slavia are still winless at home in the competition and with so much left to play for, I fancy the away win.

Barcelona 6/10
Draw 32/10
Dortmund 37/10

The big one on Wednesday sees Barcelona and Dortmund do battle at the Camp Nou as both giants seek qualification with a win. Barca will find it much easier having the benefit of home advantage, especially with that superb record under their belts, enduring a six-year unbeaten run at home in UEFA competitions, winning 30 times and drawing just four. BVB have failed to win in Spain in their last 11 attempts, drawing four and losing seven. Barcelona got a point in Germany and I expect them to claim all three at home.

Group G


Zenit 14/10
Draw 24/10
Lyon 18/10

Lyon will be hoping to become the first French club to win at Zenit when the two sides meet in an early Wednesday kick-off. The hosts dropped down to third last time out after a home defeat to Leipzig, while Lyon moved above them with a resounding 3-1 victory over Benfica. Zenit did manage to get a draw in France and have a brilliant head-to-head record over Lyon, enduring a three-game unbeaten run which includes two wins. Put your money on Zenit to Win or Draw at 4/10.

RB Leipzig 5/10
Draw 34/10
Benfica 5/1

Leipzig stand a great chance of playing in the Round of 16 for the first time in their history when they face Benfica at the Red Bull Arena. The hosts just need to avoid defeat to book their place in the next round. Benfica sit bottom of Group G with just three points and have lost their last five games played in Germany. Leipzig won 2-1 in Portugal on Matchday One, and I expect the hosts to do the double over Benfica at 5/10.

Group H


Valencia 18/10
Draw 5/2
Chelsea 27/20

The Mestalla draws back its curtains this Wednesday as Valencia and Chelsea go head-to-head in Group H. Both sides are level on seven points with the Blues seeking revenge for their 1-0 home defeat against the Bats. Chelsea’s away form has been well-documented this season, even more so after wins at Ajax and Lille in this competition. The UEFA Europa League winners are also unbeaten at Valencia’s ground in three meetings, winning twice. A win would book Frank Lampard’s side a spot in the next round, and at 27/20, that certainly seems like the likeliest outcome.

Lille 26/10
Draw 28/10
Ajax 17/20

It’s the perfect opportunity for Ajax to break their dismal run in France when they travel to Lille as overwhelming favourites, despite missing Daley Blind and Joel Veltman through suspension. The Dutch giants haven’t won in their last seven visits to France, losing five times. The hosts, however, are winless in their last 15 UEFA home games and are yet to win a UEFA Champions League home tie, drawing three and losing five. Ajax won the reverse tie 3-0 and should wipe the floor with Lille yet again.

Tuesday TREBLE @ 3/1
Tottenham (-1) Handicap 8/10
Man City (-1) Handicap 5/10
Atalanta Win 6/10

Wednesday TREBLE @ 11/2
Liverpool Win 11/20
Chelsea Win 27/20
Ajax Win 17/20

Written by Jesse Nagel

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