Football Champions League Preview

It is time for gameweek two in the Champions League and here is our preview of all the Tuesday action.

The early kick-off (5:00pm) sees Spartak Moscow take on Celtic. Form is not kind to both side with The Russians having won just one of their last 14 Champions League home games. Celtic, excluding qualifiers, have won none of their last 26 away games in Europe. Bookmakers make Spartak the 4/7 (general) favourites with the draw priced at 35/11 (pinnacle) and the away victory 73/12 (pinnacle). The game is notable as it pitches Aidan McGeady against his former side and he is 7/2 (Blue Sq/888 Sport) to score at anytime in this game or 11/1 with (ladbrokes) to score first. Also in this group Barcelona travel to Benfica. The Portuguese side have failed to win in any of their last 12 European games against Spanish opponents. It is 8/13 (william hill) that the Catalans grab all three points here. Lionel Messi is 5/6 (Stan James/Coral) to score at anytime and he has scored 35 in his last 30 Champions League starts. The Barcelona to win and Messi to score at anytime double is available at Evens (paddy Power).

Chelsea should have few problems seeing off FC Nordsjaelland and they might be added to many accumulators at 7/19 (Pinnacle/32 Red). The Blues have won four and lost none of their previous six against Danish opponents in Europe. Those who think Chelsea will do well might also be tempted by the 4/7 william hill are offering in the race to two goals market. Juventus take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the other game in this group with the Italians looking to end a run of seven consecutive draws in Europe. It is 8/13 (Totesport/betfred/BetVictor) that the Old Lady get all three points while the draw is priced at 43/13 (Pinnacle) and the Donetsk win is 62/11 (Pinnacle). I like the look of Henrik Mkhiytaryan to net here which is 11/1 (bet365) to score first or 10/3 (bet365) to score anytime. The Armenian has netted a remarkable 13 in ten appearances this season including two in the last game in the Champions League.

Man Utd are also in action Tuesday night and they are 8/11 (32 Red) to win away at CFR Cluj. The Red Devils have won just two of their last seven matches in Europe so I would be swerving this. I would recommend a small bet on Rafael Bastos to score first at 10/1 (general) and 7/2 (SkyBet/Blue Sq/888 Sport) to score anytime. The Brazilian has scored three in his last three including two against Braga on matchday one. With Scholes, Carrick and Giggs missing the Utd midfield looks a little under-strength and Cluj might try hit Utd on the counter like Tottenham did so well on Saturday. Galatasary take on Braga and The Turkish side might consider themselves unlucky to get nothing off Utd last time out. They have lost just one of their last five Champions League home games and bookmakers are offering 10/11 (general) a home win.

In Group F free-scoring Bayern are away to Bate Borisov and they are 2/5 (Blue Sq/888 Sport) for victory while they can be had at 1/2 (ladbrokes/william hill) in the race to two goals. The other game in the group pits a Valencia side with just two losses in their last 22 European home games against a Lille side with just one win in their last nine Champions League matches. The Spanish side are hard to oppose at 7/10 (william hill).

BEST BET RATINGS

GOLD: Henrik Mkhiytaryan to score anytime v Juventus 10/3 (bet365)
SILVER: Rafael Bastos to score anytime v Man Utd 7/2 (Skybet/Blue Sq/888 Sport)
BRONZE: Chelsea in the race to two goals v FC Nordsjaelland 4/7 (William Hill)

Go To bet365

#Ad

04/10/2012     © Frixo 2024