Our Champions League scribe reckons he’s found some value in this Tuesday’s eight upcoming fixtures!
The Champions League returns this week with Europe’s elite ready to go toe to toe in the second match-day of the 2016/17 edition of the tournament.
While there are a couple of tasty fixtures on Saturday’s bill, the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid is easily drawing the most attention from the global audience. Let’s take a look at Tuesday’s fixtures below:
Tuesday 27 September
Group E
CSKA Moscow 2/1 | Draw 9/4 | Tottenham 13/10 (20:45)
CSKA Moscow, off the back of an excellent 2-1 away win to Krylya Sovetov in the Russian League, welcome Tottenham to the Arena Khimki, where they have played just once this season. The Horses are in great form, and are undefeated to date. That record looked like slipping away in their last Champions League fixture, where they went 2-0 down to Bayer Leverkusen, but a quick turnaround in the first half saw them draw level at 2-2. Spurs, though, are still in search of their first Champions League points this campaign after a shock 2-1 defeat to Monaco at Wembley in Matchday one. Mauricio Pochettino’s men will look to take their league form into Europe’s elite tournament, however, Harry Kane is a major doubt for the match after being stretchered off injured in their 1-0 win over Sunderland. Without Kane, Spurs still look like a threat going forward, making the Both Teams to Score market well worth a punt at 7/10.
Monaco 27/20 | Draw 22/10 | Bayer Leverkusen 2/1 (20:45)
Monaco have been off to the perfect start this season. A famous 2-1 win over Spurs at Wembley in their Champions League opener puts Leonardo Jardim’s side on top of Group E for the time being. The Stade Louis II has been a ground of joy for the Monaco faithful. They’ve just come off the back of an impressive 3-0 win over Rennes, and beat PSG 3-1 on their turf earlier this season. That doesn’t bode well for Bayer Leverkusen. The German side have managed to win twice in three Bundesliga matches, but slipped to a 2-2 draw in their Champions League opener. Monaco are flying high and are tipped at 27/20.
Group F
Sporting CP 2/9 | Draw 5/1 | Legia Warsaw 10/1 (20:45)
Sporting come off the back of a 3-1 defeat in their domestic league at the hands of Rio Ave. The Lions remain on top of the Portuguese log, after winning four of their five games played. Jorge Jesus’ side impressed most on their trip to Real Madrid, though, where they were thwarted late on by the head of Alvaro Morata and former player, Cristiano Ronaldo. Legia Warsaw have let their nerves get the better of them this season. The Polish side are one place ahead of the relegation zone in their league and got hammered 6-0 by a ruthless Dortmund side in their Champions League opener. In the quest for value, back Sporting to Win + Over 2.5 Goals at 6/10.
Dortmund 16/10 | Draw 5/2 | Real Madrid 15/10 (20:45)
Borussia Dortmund, who are flying high at the moment, host last season’s winner’s Real Madrid in Tuesday’s biggest game. Thomas Tuchel and Zinedine Zidane are two managers on the rise, with similar tactics in the way they set their sides. Los Blancos are the only Spanish team with a 100% record in the league this season, while Dortmund come off the back of two 6-0 victories in a row – at the time of writing. The last time these sides met, BVB won 4-1 at home, while Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 victory in the second leg, exiting the Champions League in 2012/13. This match is likely to produce goals, but at the end of it all, Dortmund are tipped to come out on top. Back the Black and Yellow army at 16/10.
Group G
Copenhagen 8/10 | Draw 49/20 | Club Brugge 33/10 (20:45)
Copenhagen got off to a decent start in the tournament, taking a share of the spoils back to Denmark in their away trip against FC Porto. The Team of the City are the only unbeaten side in the Danish league and are taking that form into the Champions League. Club Brugge, though, have been an absolute failure so far. Three defeats from their opening seven games and a 3-0 battering against Leicester City leaves the Belgian side with a slim chance of progressing to the next round of the tournament – or even Europa League. Back the home win at 8/10.
Leicester City 11/10 | Draw 9/4 | Porto 49/20 (20:45)
Two 3-0 victories in a week will leave the Leicester City faithful with plenty to cheer about. Islam Slimani has proven to be the perfect signing for the Foxes, netting twice on his Premier League debut. They go up against a Porto side who failed to take control of their opening game after letting a one-goal lead slip out their hands. The Dragons will need to be at their very best against the Foxes after winning just once in their last four games in all competitions. With that being said, my money will be on Leicester to win this one at a decent price of 11/10.
Group H
Sevilla 15/20 Draw 28/10 | Lyon 33/10 (20:45)
Sevilla didn’t get off to the start they had hoped for, but remain undefeated under new boss, Jorge Sampaoli. The Sevillistas are one of three undefeated teams in the Spanish La Liga. Sampaoli’s side have been involved in some high scoring matches this season, but did well to hold Juventus to a goalless draw in their opener. They now face a Lyon side who should be well-respected after their 3-0 hammering of Dinamo Zagreb. The Kids have been disappointing in their domestic league, though, failing to win in three of their five matches played. I quite fancy the home win here. Back Sevilla to claim maximum points at 15/20.
Dinamo Zagreb 25/2 | 17/4 | Juventus 1/4 (20:45)
Dinamo Zagreb come off the back of a 3-0 defeat against Lyon in the Champions League, followed by a 5-2 drubbing in the Croatian League. Things are not looking good for Zlatko Kranjcar’s side. The next test the beleaguered Croatians face is Juventus, who are capable of dismantling the biggest of giants on their day. The Old Lady, however, suffered their first defeat in the Italian Serie A at the hands of Inter Milan. Albeit, one just cannot see Juve dropping points here. The Bianconeri have the players to hurt Zagreb, including Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Miralem Pjanic. That said, Juventus are just as tidy in defence. My money is on Juve to Win To Nil at 6/10.
Tuesday TREBLE @ 17/2
Sevilla Win 15/20
Dortmund Win 16/10
Leicester Win 11/10
Written by Jesse Nagel @Hollywoodbets
