The final matchday of the group stages in the UEFA Champions League campaign commences this week with eight teams already booking their spot in the next round.
On the negative side, nine clubs in the competition head into Matchday Six without any chance of progressing to the Last 16. The big shock is that holders, Liverpool, could exit the Champions League if they fall to defeat at Salzburg, depending on results elsewhere – or if the Austrians better the result they suffered at Anfield. There’s a humdinger in Group F as well where Inter Milan look to advance to next round with Barcelona, while Dortmund lie in waiting as they need to better Inter’s result to reach the Last 16.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Tuesday 10 December
Group E
Salzburg 26/10
Draw 3/1
Liverpool 17/20
In undoubtedly the tie of the round, FC Salzburg and Liverpool do battle early on Tuesday evening in a season-defining encounter. The Austrian champions lie third in Group E, but could overtake the Reds should they better their 4-3 defeat suffered at Anfield, meaning Liverpool will fall out of the competition and drop down to the UEFA Europa League if Napoli win as well.
To be safe, Jurgen Klopp’s men just need a draw – although their record on the road leaves a lot to be desired in Europe, losing five of their last eight Champions League trips. To make matters worse, the Reds will be without Fabinho, who is out until the new year due to injury. I’m going to stick my neck out here and back the home win.
Napoli 2/13
Draw 13/2
Genk 13/1
It’s very straightforward for Napoli. After holding Liverpool to a draw at Anfield last time out, Carlo Ancelotti’s side just need a point to progress. As for Genk, they head into Matchday Six with their heads hung low as they have no chance of even finishing in third spot. Napoli should make this a relatively comfortable victory – back them on the (-1) Handicap here at 9/20.
Group F
Dortmund 1/4
Draw 47/10
Slavia Prague 19/2
There’s so much to play for in what is considered to be the ‘group of death’ as Dortmund prepare for a must-win clash against Slavia Prague, as the Germans hope Barcelona can get a result against Inter Milan. Slavia are confirmed fourth-placed finishers, while Dortmund need to get more points than Inter due to their inferior goal difference. As far as betting goes, the outcome here should be Dortmund on the (-1) Handicap at 13/20.
Inter Milan 13/20
Draw 31/10
Barcelona 36/10
Inter Milan look to join Barcelona in the next round of the UEFA Champions League when the sides do battle at the San Siro this Tuesday. Inter advance to the next stage of the competition with a win, while a draw could also be enough, provided Dortmund fail to beat Slavia Prague at the same time.
With nothing left to play for, Ernesto Valverde could tinker the squad around and give the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez the night off. As for Inter, they’ll be nothing short of motivated under Antonio Conte with a victory firmly set in their sights. Back the home win.
Group G
Benfica 23/20
Draw 49/20
Zenit 43/20
Benfica’s time in the UEFA Champions League is up, but there’s still third spot in the group to contend for, which would put them into the Round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League. To get that, they will need to beat Zenit by a scoreline better than 3-1 and hope that Lyon does not lose, or if they win by any scoreline and Lyon lose to Leipzig.
The Russians will go through if they beat Benfica and Lyon do not beat Leipzig, or if both games are drawn due to their head-to-head superiority. It’s going to be tight, but I’m backing a draw between these two sides.
Lyon 27/20
Draw 51/20
RB Leipzig 7/4
Group G seems to be one of the tightest in the competition with all four sides having something to play for. Leipzig are already through but will be pushing to at least get a draw, which would confirm them as leaders. Lyon need a win to qualify, although a draw will be enough if Zenit lose to Benfica. It may not offer much value at 5/10, but Both Teams to Score certainly looks like the best option to take in this game.
Group H
Chelsea 1/5
Draw 52/10
Lille 11/1
Chelsea have left it late to qualify, but it’s all in their hands when they host Lille at Stamford Bridge this Tuesday. Frank Lampard’s side just need to beat Lille to advance to the Last 16, while a draw will be enough if Valencia lose at Ajax.
Lille have been the biggest disappointment from the group and have nothing but pride to play for as their fourth spot is already confirmed. I’d label Chelsea a banker here, but for much more value – look at the outright group betting and take Chelsea to Qualify From Group H at a ridiculous 12/10.
Ajax 6/10
Draw 32/10
Valencia 37/10
Ajax head into the final round of fixtures with 10 points from their first five encounters which puts them in a much more favourable position to cement qualification. The Dutch giants need a point to go through, although they will also qualify with Valencia if Chelsea fail to beat Lille. Ajax hammered Valencia 3-0 at the Mestalla Stadium and should complete the double over the Bats, get on at 6/10!
Wednesday 11 December
Group A
Paris Saint-Germain 2/11
Draw 57/10
Galatasaray 11/1
Paris Saint-Germain host Galatasaray on Wednesday in one of the few dead-rubbers commencing on Matchday Six. PSG are through to the Last 16 and cannot be caught at the top of Group A. Galatasaray still have a slim chance of getting third spot, but they’ll need to get a positive result in Paris and hope Club Brugge lose at home to Real Madrid. My money is on PSG to Score In Both Halves at 13/20.
Club Brugge 21/10
Draw 26/10
Real Madrid 11/10
Real Madrid will be in the knockout stages of the competition regardless of what happens here, which could result in Zinedine Zidane opting to give his younger players another chance to prove themselves. Club Brugge are in a fairly comfortable position to get third spot, needing to better Galatasaray’s result to remain in an UEFA competition. I’d have a punt on Under 2.5 Goals at 14/10.
Group B
Bayern Munich 11/20
Draw 7/2
Tottenham 17/4
The ultimate dead-rubber of the round sees Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur side travel to Bavaria to take on Bayern Munich. Both sides are through to the Last 16, while their log position is also set in stone with Bayern topping the standings and Spurs in second place.
Bayern Munich are the only side in the competition with a 100% win record, coming out on top in all five of their matches, scoring 21 goals, including a 7-2 victory over Tottenham in London. It may not seem worth taking, but I’d have a punt on the home win.
Olympiacos 11/20
Draw 3/1
Red Star Belgrade 47/10
It’s the battle for third spot when Olympiacos host Red Star Belgrade in Piraeus this Wednesday. The permutations are simple here: the hosts just need to win to leapfrog their opponents in the standings, while Red Star just need to avoid defeat to compete in the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League. The hosts took the lead in Belgrade on Matchday Two, but eventually fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Red Star. This time around, I’m backing Olympiacos to come good.
Group C
Dinamo Zagreb 24/10
Draw 29/10
Manchester City 9/10
With Manchester City already confirmed as group winners, the other three teams in the group have it all to play for on Matchday Six. Dinamo Zagreb know that they will need nothing less than a win over City, coupled with Atalanta getting a result over Shakhtar Donetsk to qualify into the knockout stages. Man City have underperformed for large parts of the season, therefore, they should afford Dinamo with a few goalscoring opportunities. Over 2.5 Goals looks the most sensible bet here at 9/20.
Shakhtar Donetsk 15/10
Draw 5/2
Atalanta 16/10
Group C’s deciding clash pits Shakhtar Donetsk and Atalanta together as both sides see themselves with a decent chance of progressing into the next round. Shakhtar will go through if they beat Atalanta, although a draw will be enough to join the elite 16 if Dinamo fail to beat Manchester City. Atalanta will be putting all their trust in Man City not to lose against Dinamo Zagreb, while they will also need to win to ensure qualification into the Round of 16. Shakhtar claimed an impressive 2-1 win in Italy and are backed to do the double over their opponents.
Group D
Atletico Madrid 1/5
Draw 5/1
Lokomotiv Moscow 14/1
Atletico Madrid’s fate is in their own hands now as victory over Lokomotiv Moscow will be enough to join Juventus in the next round. A draw will also be enough for Atleti if Leverkusen fail to beat Juventus. By their standards, it’s easy to tell that Diego Simeone’s men will be gunning for victory though. Lokomotiv are down in the dumps and are confirmed fourth-placed finishers. Take Atletico to Win to Nil at 11/20.
Bayer Leverkusen 21/20
Draw 5/2
Juventus 47/20
We end proceedings with Group D winners, Juventus, travelling to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena. The visitors brushed them aside in Turin and will be hoping a much-changed line-up can emulate the big guns as they look to put a dent in Leverkusen’s chances of qualification. The hosts have to win to stand any chance of progressing but know they stand very little chance as they’ll need Atletico to not beat Lokomotiv as well. I’d back a draw here.
Tuesday TREBLE @ 8/1
FC Salzburg Win 26/10
Inter Milan Win 13/20
Ajax Win 6/10
Wednesday TREBLE @ 5/1
Olympiacos Win 11/20
Shakhtar Win 15/10
Atletico Madrid Win to Nil 11/20
Written by Jesse Nagel for Hollywoodbets
