Written by Jesse Nagel for Soccer Betting News. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The final round of group fixtures of the UEFA Champions League promises to leave you at the edge of your seat with teams looking to book their place in the knockout stage. Manchester United face a daunting trip to Germany to take on group leaders Wolfsburg with Louis van Gaal’s side only assured of progression by claiming maximum points.
The teams to have already qualified for the last 16 are Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Juventus, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Zenit. Who will join them in the knockout stages?
TUESDAY 08 DECEMBER
Manchester City 11/20
Draw 34/10
Monchengladbach 17/4
Manchester City suffered a setback in finishing as the group’s leaders when they endured a 1-0 loss to Juventus. They must now defeat Borussia Monchengladbach and hope that Sevilla beat Juventus to get back on top to avoid one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Despite an impressive 4-2 victory last time out against Sevilla, Gladbach stand no chance of reaching the next round but still have the Europa League to play for. The Citizens will fight for top spot whereas Borussia have third place to battle for. It will be a tight encounter so play it safe and back Both Teams To Score at 11/20.
Wolfsburg 14/10
Draw 9/4
Man United 39/20
Wolfsburg replaced Manchester United at the top of Group B in the Champions League as Andre Schurrle’s heroics helped them to a 2-0 victory at CSKA Moscow. It was the first away win by any team in the tightly fought group and put the German side on nine points. The Red Devils slipped up on the opportunity to advance into the next round with a game to spare after their goalless draw at home to PSV. United now face a difficult challenge to qualify when they travel to Germany in a game that they have to win. Both teams have it all to play for, but with home advantage, Wolfsburg are tipped to oust their opponents at 14/10.
Real Madrid 1/14
Draw 10/1
Malmo 28/1
Real Madrid secured top spot in their group with a 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 5. It was the first time that Rafael Benitez’ men conceded in the tournament this season after a late fightback from Shakhtar saw them concede three goals in the space of 11 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo will look to add to his seven-goal tally in the Champions League, however, Benitez could rest a few of his big names, knowing that his side will finish as Group A winners regardless of this week’s result. Malmo are coming off the back of a 5-0 massacre at the hands of PSG and they could see their shaky defence concede another flurry of goals. Back Madrid to Score In Both Halves at 7/20.
Sevilla 31/20
Draw 9/4
Juventus 7/4
Sevilla will hope to end their run of four straight defeats in the Champions League when they host group leaders Juventus. Los Rojiblancos will need maximum points plus a slip up from Monchengladbach in order to qualify for the Europa League with a third place finish in Group D. Juventus need only a draw to cement their position at the top of the group due to their head-to-head record with second-placed Manchester City. Paul Pogba has been vital for the Old Lady and could play a key role in Juventus’ fight for that golden point. Sevilla are tipped to break their losing streak with a draw which will see still see their Italian opponents finish as group leaders.
Galatasaray 7/20
Draw 39/10
Astana 8/1
Galatasaray host Astana in a crucial match in the fight for third spot in Group C. Gala are coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid which left the Turkish Champions with no chance of reaching the next round. All they have to play for now is a spot in the Europa League. Astana went into their first ever Champions League campaign as the outsiders in the group but will finish unbeaten at home – recording draws in all three games, including a 2-2 draw against this week’s opponents. However, the Kazakhstan champions have not managed a goal away from home in the tournament and are tipped to fall short once again. Back Gala for the win at 7/20.
PSG 7/20
Draw 4/1
Shakhtar 13/2
PSG ensured their spot in the next round with a 5-0 thumping of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s hometown club, Malmo. The Parisians have no chance of finishing the group as leaders because of their head-to-head record against Real Madrid. Laurent Blanc’s side have been tight in defence conceding just one goal and have kept clean sheets in both their home matches. For Shakhtar, it was always about third spot in the group knowing that Real Madrid and PSG will be the dominant forces in Group A. Shakhtar will have a bit of hope in securing that third spot position knowing that they have a greater head-to-head record against Malmo who travel to Madrid. PSG have produced some high-scoring displays this season and with Shakhtar scoring three goals in the space of 11 minutes against Real Madrid, we can expect an exciting encounter between these teams. PSG to Win + Over 3.5 Goals at 18/10 will do it for me.
PSV Eindhoven 9/10
Draw 26/10
CSKA Moscow 28/10
PSV earned a commendable point at Old Trafford last time which now takes the pressure off the Dutch outfit in a must-win game against CSKA Moscow, who are already eliminated from the competition. A win for PSV would see them qualify through to the next round, unless Manchester United claim maximum points in Germany against group leaders, Wolfsburg. CSKA come off the back of the first home defeat in the group when they were downed 2-0 in their own backyard by the Germans. PSV showed good balance in attack and defence against Man United and are tipped to earn a victory here at 9/10.
Benfica 19/10
Draw 21/10
Atletico Madrid 31/20
Atletico Madrid travel to Portugal to take on Benfica in a fight for top spot after both teams secured qualification in their last fixture. Benfica are on top of Atleti by a better head-to-head record after winning the return fixture 2-1 in Madrid. Diego Simeone will look for the same sort of performance that his team displayed last time out when they trumped Galatasaray 2-0 at home. Benfica didn’t look like the side that beat Atletico last time out when Astana took an early 2-0 lead over the Portuguese giants. Benfica showed great character to fight back to a 2-2 draw but cannot afford any slip-ups against the Spanish giants. This match could go either way, but Both Teams To Score is the safest bet at even money.
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