Champions League Preview

The early game on Wednesday night sees Zenit take on Milan. The Russians have won ten and lost none of their last 13 European home games though they have won just one of six overall against teams from Serie A. Bookmakers make Zenit the 6/5 (general) favourites while the draw is a best priced 32/13 (pinnacle). Milan have won just one of their last 11 Champions League games on the road though they have won two of their last three in Russia. Take Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy to score as the 19 year-old has netted four in his last three for the Italians and is 8/1 (general) to score first or 14/5 (sportingbet) to score anytime. Also in this group Malaga are away to Anderlecht. The bet for me in this game is no in the both teams to score market which is available at 10/9 with 32red. Anderlecht have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four games including against Milan. Malaga have conceded just two goals in their last nine games.

Arsenal are in action as they play host to Olympiakos. The Gunners have never lost at home to Greek opponents in Europe and bookmakers don’t think they will here making them 7/19 (Pinancle/32 Red) favourites. Olympiakos have lost all ten previous games played on English soil. I think Arsenal will win but can not be backing them at that price. Bearing in mind that Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five why not try the 15/8 (Coral) that Arsenal will win but will not keep a clean sheet. Schalke have not lost any of their last 12 group matches in Europe and are 8/13 (BetVictor/paddy Power/Coral) to see off Montpellier here. Those who fancy a German victory might want to combine it with Klaas Jan Huntelaar in a score/win double. The Dutchman to score and the Germans to win is priced at 31/20 (BetVictor).

Man City are 10/11 (general) for victory against a Dortmund side that have won none of their last five away games in Europe. City have scored and conceded in each of their last five games and it is 4/6 (BlueSq/888sport/Coral) that both teams score here. The German side have grabbed ten goals in their last three games, so expect a high scoring game here. Real Madrid are 4/9 (general) to see off Ajax in the other game in the group. After a slow start Madrid seemed to have turned a corner and look hard to oppose here. Madrid will want to wrap up this quickly and can be had at 11/10 (BlueSq/888 Sport) to be ahead at HT and at FT.

My best bet of the evening is for PSG to defeat Porto which can be had at 23/10 (BetVictor) or 4/3 (32red) in the draw no bet market. The French side hammered Kiev in the last game and have a wealth of fire-power at their disposal. The other game in that Group is a battle of the Dinamos as Kiev play host to Zagreb. Kiev are the 1/2 (Blue Sq/888sport) favourites here though they have won just one of their last ten European matches. In the first game against PSG we mentioned the goal threat of Niko Kranjcar and we will go with that route again. The Croatian played just off the front-man at the weekend and has been among the goals this season. He is 17/2 (bet365) to score first or 5/2 (bet365) anytime.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: PSG to beat Porto in draw no bet market, 4/3 (32red)
SILVER: Niko Kranjcar to score first/anytime, 17/2 (bet365) & 5/2 (bet365)
BRONZE: Arsenal to win but not keep a clean sheet, 15/8 (Coral)

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04/10/2012     © Frixo 2024