Champions League Week 3

Spartak Moscow take on Benfica in the early kick-off knowing that they need all three points if they are to have a hope of progressing to the next round of the Champions League. The Russians are not having a great time of it domestically as they lie just seventh and they have lost both games in Europe so far with one of these being a home defeat to Celtic. Bookmakers make them 2/1(BetVictor/william hill) for victory against Benfica. The Portuguese side sit second in their domestic league (tied on points with Porto) and have a defeat to Barcelona and a draw with Celtic in this campaign so far. Benfica are the 8/5 (betfred/ladbrokes) favourites though they have won just two of their last 11 away from home in the Champions League. Also in Group G Barcelona entertain Celtic and the Spanish giants are 1/11 (Stan James/32 Red) for victory here while the draw is a best priced 13/1 (pinnacle) and Celtic are 40/1 (BetVictor). Although the Spanish side should dominate I actually think Celtic can score here as Spartak grabbed twice in the recent Champions League visit and Deportivo netted four against them at the weekend. Take the 13/8 (william hill) are offering on both teams to score.

Chelsea travel to Shakhtar Donetsk in what could be the game of the night on Tuesday. Both sides have four points from their opening two games and both sides sit top of their domestic leagues. It is 13/8 (william hill) a Donetsk victory while the draw is a best priced 5/2 (Skybet) and the Chelsea win 2/1 (Stan James). Goals could be the order of the day here as Chelsea have grabbed 20 goals in their last five games while both teams have scored in four of the last five Shakhtar home games. Take the 4/5 (betfred/Coral) on both teams to score. Also in this group Juventus take on FC Nordsjaelland in what should be a one sided encounter. Bookmakers agree and make the Italians 4/11 (general) favourites which could be one for the accumulators. Paul Pogba netted coming off the bench in Serie A at the weekend and he might get a run out here towards the end and he is 16/1 (Coral) in the last goalscorer market.

Braga are no fools and it might be worth siding with them on the Asian Handicap market against Man Utd. Braga +1.5 is available at 6/7 with pinnacle which seems generous odds. The Red Devils have won just two of their last 11 Champions League home games by two or more goals while Braga have lost just one of their five aways in all competitions this season including a draw at Udinese and victory in Turkey. In addition with a key game against Chelsea coming up Ferguson might be tempted to rest a few players. The other game in this group sees galatasaray up against CFR Cluj. The Turkish side have had a hugely disappointing start losing both games so far but must be hopeful of picking up all three points here and they are 8/11 (Coral) to do so.

After a shock defeat in gameweek2 Bayern Munich will be keen to bounce back with all three points against Lille and are 8/15 (Totesport/betfred/ladbrokes) to do so. The French side have lost both group games so far and have not won any of their seven Champions League home games in regular time. Munich should have too much firepower here. Bate Borisov have started the group on fire with two wins from two games and they play host to Valencia. You can still get 29/11 (pinnacle) a BATE victory, the draw is 23/9 and the Valencia win is 6/5 (William Hill).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Bayern Munich to beat Lille, 8/15 (Totesport/betfred/ladbrokes)
SILVER: Both teams to score in Shakhtar Donetsk v Chelsea, 4/5 (betfred/Coral)
BRONZE: Braga with +1.5 on Asian Handicap v Man Utd, 6/7 (Pinnacle)

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23/10/2012     © Frixo 2024