It is for fixtures such as these that we love this game! Truly, there are titanic clashes. Must-wins, pride and a seat at the table begins to beckon. The picture for the next round will be made a little more clearer now and I cannot wait for it!
Tuesday 23 November
Dynamo Kyiv 9/1 | Draw 5/1 | Bayern Munich 1/4 (19:45)
Bayern have already secured qualification, but that shouldn’t give Dynamo a false sense of security here. The Bavarians are German engineering at its finest and I’m not going to waste too much more of your time here.
Back the away side on the (-2) Handicap at 17/10.
Villarreal 21/10 | 5/2 | Manchester United 12/10 (19:45)
This is a must-win fixture for Manchester United. The last time the Red Devils were in a ‘must-win’ situation with Villarreal on the other side…well the Yellow Submarines were victorious.
This will be a tough game, United will have the pedigree, history and star-studded side necessary to get a positive result. However, in Villarreal, you have a team capable of outplaying United in being tactically superior.
Anything can happen, so I suggest Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 6/10.
Chelsea 15/20 | 26/10 | Juventus 36/10 (22:00)
The reverse fixture saw Chelsea undone in Turin, but now I think the English side are in a better place. Thomas Tuchel has suggested that in order to win such trophies his side will need to beat the very best Europe has to offer – so this would be a good place to start.
I am a little concerned with the prices on offer to be fair, this is Juventus! But I’m happy to get behind the home side.
Barcelona 6/10 | 32/10 | Benfica 4/1 (22:00)
The last time these two met, Benfica epitomised the issues which were underpinning Barcelona. Since then, the men from Catalonia have seen the return of Xavi – and if you’d never watched football and just had every experience through social media you would have thought Barca are about to win the Champions League.
Nevertheless, this time around things are certainly different and I think at home Barcelona set the record straight.
Sevilla 8/10 | 26/10 | Wolfsburg 34/10 (22:00)
Sevilla have been largely inconsistent, but their home form has often saved their blushes. Wolfsburg are a strong side, one who can give many so-called ‘big’ European sides a real go.
I think the Germans prioritize this fixture and I expect them to get three points here!
Malmo 24/10 | 51/20 | Zenit 21/20 (22:00)
This isn’t the sort of game that will get the heart pumping, but it could prove valuable in the various multiples we have on the go during the week. Zenit are better than 21/20, Malmo cannot match them. Back the away win.
Lille 14/10 | 24/10 | RB Salzburg 37/20 (22:00)
This will be a tricky game to call. Both these two sides have started putting together some notable performances in the Champions League of late, and so a case could be made for either of them.
Salzburg have been more consistent and have a far more convincing and reliable record in all competition. The French side on the other hand, blow hot and cold – they don’t deserve our money. Back the away win.
Young Boys 9/4 | 26/10 | Atalanta 21/20 (22:00)
Looking at the Young Boys record, the quality of teams they have lost to and just the general ability of their side, you can’t help but feel a sickening wave come over you at the realization that United failed to beat them.
Atalanta are a quality side, complete with individual quality and a strong-minded coach. They should have no issue finding all three points here…even on an astroturf pitch.
Wednesday 24 November
Besiktas 44/10 | 34/10 | Ajax 11/20 (19:45)
A lot has been made of Erik Ten Hag recently, but I’m not convinced that he’s the manager for a massive club. Now before you lose your sense of humour, Ajax is not a small club, but it isn’t a Manchester United or PSG!
But I digress. The Dutch side will come into this game with a sense of confidence (unbeaten in their last six) and I think they are good enough to earn a good victory.
Inter Milan 7/20 | 42/10 | Shakhtar Donetsk 13/2 (19:45)
This will be a tough game for Inter, Shakhtar were well beaten by Madrid, but this wasn’t due to anything other than the quality performance Real were able to produce.
I don’t think Inter Milan lose though so Inter on the Win/Draw Double Chance + Both Teams To Score (Yes) at even money looks a treat.
Sporting 37/20 | 49/20 | Borussia Dortmund 14/10 (22:00)
Dortmund have been terribly inconsistent, but more worrying is their inability to put games to bed. Sporting will feel they can play with freedom and a spirited will – these are usually the most dangerous sides!
I think this is a banana-skin fixture and Dortmund slip up. Back the Home Win/Draw Double Chance at 5/10.
Manchester City 14/10 | 28/10 | Paris Saint-Germain 16/10 (22:00)
PSG haven’t been as dominant as you would expect from a side of their calibre, but they will want to make another statement here. City have been exceptional but possibly guilty of taking games for granted.
Both managers know the importance of a game like this and furthermore will want to take off as much pressure as possible as they begin to look ahead toward the knockout stages.
For my money, I think the visitors come away with an incredibly important win here.
Atletico Madrid 7/10 | 28/10 | AC Milan 36/10 (22:00)
I love the refreshing and outwardly attacking style of play employed by this AC Milan side. They have already shown that they aren’t afraid to travel and show their opposition respect but no mercy.
My only reservation is Atletico will relish that attempt and I think the home side suffocate Milan and grind out another ugly win.
Liverpool 17/20 | 28/10 | Porto 28/10 (22:00)
Do you really need a preview for this game? I mean its Liverpool playing Porto at a football game, therefore we go Liverpool on the (-1) Handicap at 43/20 and we throw Grandpa’s pension at it.
It’s sort of like Peanut butter and jam on a sandwich, it just goes together. Nobody questions it and we all just accept it as a staple!
Club Brugge 24/10 | 26/10 | RB Leipzig 21/20 (22:00)
I can’t believe we can get a little over even money about the away win. Leipzig have started to look and feel like the side who found so much success in recent seasons. Winning the games, they should and remaining competitive everywhere else.
Club Brugge will have incredible support on Wednesday evening, but I don’t think they will handle the quality the German side possess. Back the away win here.
Sheriff Tiraspol 17/2 | 54/10 | Real Madrid 1/4 (22:00)
Oh yes, Sheriff. The team that made us dream! The last time these sides met I don’t think anyone outside of Europe had even heard of Sheriff, let alone in their dizziest daydream thought they could beat the most successful club in this competition.
Nonetheless, those days are over. Real Madrid is back to what we know and I don’t think history comes close to repeating itself here – even in Bolshaya Sportivnaya.
Back the away win, but I would add both teams to score. Real Madrid + BTTS is 15/10.
TREBLE @ 35/1
Liverpool (-1) Handicap 43/20
Real Madrid + BTTS (Yes) 15/10
Paris Saint-Germain Win 36/1
