Football Champions League 12th Feb

The Champions League returns this week as the first of the last 16 matches get underway on Tuesday. Here is our guide to the outright markets.

Bookmakers have Barcelona as the 9/4 (Coral/william hill) favourites to life the Champions League trophy on May 25 at Wembley Stadium. The Catalan side won the tournament the last time the final was played at Wembley (2010/11 season) beating Man Utd 3-1. This time around they take on Milan in the last 16 and they should have enough to get through against the Italians. Many worried that Barcelona might regress after a disappointing season in 2011/12 and the loss of Pep Guardiola this season though they have looked as good as ever. It would not be a huge shock to see the Spanish team in the final if not even lifting the trophy.

Real Madrid are the 5/1 (general) second favourites as they seek a first Champions League success since the 2001/02 season which is a long wait for a club the size of Madrid. The Spaniards do not have an easy task in the last 16 as they take on Man United. Throw in some disappointing domestic form and issues over the future of Jose Mourinho and this is a side who do not represent great value.

The next two in the betting are the German duo Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Munich are 7/1 (betway-who do not pay EW) and 6/1 general. Munich made the final last year and will be dangerous opponents. In the last 16 they have to face Arsenal and are favourites to progress. Dortmund are 8/1 (general) for the trophy and they are a side who impressed many as they topped a group including Real Madrid, Man City and Ajax. Juventus are next in the market at 12/1 (boylesports/Coral/You Win) and I think this looks a decent each-way bet. The Italians face Celtic in the last 16 and this looks a winnable game. Throw into the mix the signing of Nicolas Anelka who should give them an additional goal threat and the Serie A side look good value.

Anyone who wants to back one of the English pair can get Man utd at 14/1 (Coral) and if they can see off Real Madrid then they should have nobody to fear other than Barcelona in the last eight. This price could look good value but it is a great risk as they still have to get past Real Madrid. Arsenal meanwhile are 40/1 (general) and I would not rush to back them as the Gunners have to get past a dangerous looking Bayern Munich side.

Bookmakers are split on the chances of PSG with sportingbet having them as short as 8/1 while BWin and You Win have them as big as 28/1. A lot will depend on influential Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic though a last 16 game with Valencia should not hold many worries .

Of the remaining sides it is galatasaray at 150/1 (general) who look the biggest priced value. The Turkish side have a very winnable last 16 game against Schalke and if they get the right draw this price could come tumbling down. The Turkish side made a big mark in the January transfer window bringing in Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder. Both players have bags of Champions League experience and the Turkish side are a dangerous dark horse.

Just quickly in the other markets I like the look of galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz to finish as top Champions League scorer. The player currently has six alongside Cristiano Ronaldo with the increased creative presence of Wesley Sneijder he should have chances to add to this. It is upto you how you play it Skybet at 18/1 are the best price of the bookmakers playing each-way, though they go a fifth the odds while some bookmakers are going 16/1 with a ¼ the odds the each way places.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Burak Yilmaz, to be top Champions League Scorer (EW), best available odds
SILVER: Juventus to win Champions League (EW), 12/1 (boylesports/Coral)
BRONZE: Galatasary to win Champions League (EW), 150/1 (general)

Go To bet365

#Ad

12/02/2013     © Frixo 2024