Football Championships Preview 5th Dec

Chelsea know their Champions League fate is not in their hands as a draw between Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk would see those sides through and the English side forced to play in the Europa League. Despite both teams promising that they will go out and battle for all three points bookmakers are not convinced and make the draw a very short 10/11 (general).

The Blues for their part are 1/8 (paddy Power/william hill) to see off Danish side FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge and Rafa Benitez will never have a better chance to get a victory as Chelsea boss. Chelsea are 8/13 (ladbrokes) to win to nil which they have done in their last four games against Danish opponents. Those looking for a bet on this game could do worse than taking the 13/10 (boylesports) are offering on Juan Mata to score anytime and Chelsea to emerge victorious. Wait for teamnews though to see if Mata starts as Rafa Benitez is known for rotating his squad and the London side have a lot of games ahead of them.

Celtic must better Benfica’s result to finish second and reach the last 16. Bookmakers make the Scottish side 10/17 (pinnacle) to see off Spartak Moscow. Having already seen off the Russian team at their own ground Celtic will be confident of all three points though I can not be backing them at such a short price. The bet in this is to take the 4/5 (betfred) are offering on both teams to score which would have paid in each of the last four Celtic Champions League games.

Elsewhere in this group Benfica travel to Barcelona with the Spanish side already confirmed as group winners. It is 10/17 (pinnacle) a Barca victory while the draw is 18/5 (boylesports/sportingbet/BetVictor) and a Benfica win is 5/1 (general) as they aim to become the first team to beat Barcelona at their ground in the Champions League since Rubin Kazan in 2009.

Bayern Munich and Valencia are the confirmed qualifiers from Group F with the only issue remaining just who will finish top. Both sides are on ten points with Bayern leading the head to head record so the Spanish side most hope they can better the result of the Germans. Bayern are at home to Bate Borisov and are as short as 1/8 (betfred) for victory while the draw is 738/67 (Pinnacle) and a Bate win is 689/23. In the other game in the group Valencia are away to Lille and it is 31/21 (Pinnacle) a Valencia win. Robert Soldado has scored 14 goals in his last 14 Champions League starts and could appeal at 5/4 (Totesport/betfred) in the anytime scorer market if he is named on the teamsheet.

CFR Cluj travel to Old Trafford knowing that they must better the result of galatasaray in order to finish second and qualify for the next stage. Despite the threat of rotation hanging around the squad United are deserved favourites at 13/18 (Pinnacle). It is 3/1 (general) the draw and 9/2 (general) a Cluj victory. Galatasaray are 11/8 (BetVictor/paddy Power) for victory in Braga. Braga have lost their last three European home matches in a row while the Turkish side have lost just two of their last 11 European away games from home. Alan has scored five in the last four Champions League and is a generous 17/2 (bet365) to score first or 13/5 (bet365) to score anytime.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Juan Mata to score anytime and Chelsea to beat FC Nordsjaelland, 13/10 (Boylesports)
SILVER: Both teams to score anytime in Celtic v Spartak Moscow, 4/5 (betfred)
BRONZE: Robert Soldado (if starts) to score anytime v Lille, 5/4 (Totesport/betfred)

Go To bet365

#Ad

05/12/2012     © Frixo 2024