Our football scribe takes a look at Wednesday’s eight Champions League ties.
As the groups start taking shape, it becomes slightly better to pick out the winners. There are a few cracking encounters set for Wednesday, so let’s take an in-depth look at what’s worth a punt.
Wednesday 2 November
Group E
Monaco 15/20 | Draw 51/20 | CSKA Moscow 37/20
Group E leaders, Monaco, have been impressive this season and will look to remain undefeated in the group. They came from behind in their last fixture against CSKA Moscow through Bernardo Silva, who cancelled out Monaco loanee Lacina Traore’s opener.
Despite earning a point against Monaco, CSKA are still rooted to the foot of the table and face an uphill battle at the Stade Louis II Stadium. Monaco are still undefeated on their turf and should claim maximum points here.
Tottenham 19/20 | Draw 49/20 | Bayer Leverkusen 26/10
Tottenham Hotspur are yet to impress me in the UEFA Champions League tournament this season. A win, loss and a draw sees the London club on just four points. In their last game against Bayer Leverkusen, Spurs were lucky to come away with a point with Hugo Lloris playing a major role in keeping the teams goalless.
Leverkusen, despite being undefeated this season, are yet to pick up their first win of the campaign, drawing all three of their matches. It’s sort of a neutral home ground fixture with all Spurs’ home games being played at Wembley Stadium. Leverkusen really impressed me and I’m backing another draw between the sides.
Group F
Dortmund 9/20 | Draw 36/10 | Sporting CP 52/10
High-flying Borussia Dortmund sit on top of Group F, leading Real Madrid on goal-difference. Despite taking a 2-0 lead into the break against Sporting, it was always going to be a cagey affair, with Bruno Cesar pulling one back for the Portuguese side to end the game at 2-1 in favour of BVB.
Sporting have given both Dortmund and Real Madrid a stern test in the group and will certainly be one of my favourites in the UEFA Europa League once the group stage is over. That said, I’m expecting a win for the German outfit here, which will see them seal their place in the next round. Dortmund to claim maximum points is the tip at 9/20.
Legia Warsaw 20/1 | Draw 8/1 | Real Madrid 1/10
Legia Warsaw found the net for the first time in the Champions League in their last encounter against Real Madrid – but even then they were battered by a 5-1 scoreline. Legia have been the whipping boys of Group F and will be lucky to even get to the Europa League.
That said, Real Madrid should come out on top. Just like last week, Madrid offer very little in terms of betting. Over 2.5 Goals seems the most sensible bet at 1/4.
Group G
Porto 3/10 | Draw 17/4 | Club Brugge 17/2
Group G strugglers, Club Brugge, travel to Portugal to take on FC Porto in hope of their first win of the campaign. Porto came back deep into stoppage time courtesy of an Andre Silva penalty to end the game 2-1 in favour of the Dragons.
The win put Porto level on points with FC Copenhagen and left Club Brugge trailing down in fourth spot – winless in all their games. The home win looks a certainty, but is priced up at 3/10. Rather back Porto on the Half-time/Full-time double at 7/10.
FC Copenhagen 11/10 | Draw 9/4 | Leicester City 49/20
FC Copenhagen were thwarted last time out as they suffered their first loss of the campaign to Leicester City. The English champions are one of just three teams to win all their matches so far in the tournament. Riyad Mahrez’s kung-fu kick was the difference as the Foxes claimed another Champions League victory, keeping yet another clean sheet.
A win would seal qualification for Claudio Ranieri’s men. Copenhagen are riding high in the Danish league, winning six of their seven home games. Despite that, Leicester have transformed last season’s Premier League form into this year’s Champions League. The Foxes on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 6/10 will do for me.
Group H
Sevilla 2/9 | Draw 5/1 | Dinamo Zagreb 11/1
Sevilla have been absolutely ruthless since the appointment of Jorge Sampaoli in the beginning of the season. In the Champions League alone, they’re yet to concede, and have won back-to-back games since their goalless draw at Juventus.
Last weekend, Sampaoli’s side pulled one over Atletico Madrid, humbling the Madrid-based side to their first defeat of the season. Dinamo Zagreb have been far from their best this campaign. Three defeats from as many games without scoring gives Ivaylo Petev’s side a slim chance in this game. Sevilla should win this one convincingly; back them on the (-1) Handicap at 6/10.
Juventus 7/20 | Draw 39/10 | Lyon 8/1
Juventus’ performance in their last match against Lyon showed just how class they are as a team. Mario Lemina was sent off for Juve in the 54th-minute, which meant the Old Lady had to fight for a goal with a player short for much of the second half.
They did just that and managed to keep a clean sheet in the process, with Gianluigi Buffon saving Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty in the first half and pulling off a number of great saves to deny the French outfit. That said, Juve are just a class above and should claim maximum points. The home Win To Nil is tipped at 9/10.
TREBLE @ 3/1
Monaco Win 15/20
Dortmund Win 9/20
Sevilla Win (-1) Handicap 6/10
Written by Jesse Nagel @Hollywoodbets
