Champions League - Tuesday 18th

Cue the dramatic music, cue the over-inflated groups, cue the best players in the world (and Gareth Barry) as the Champions League returns this Tuesday. Here is our preview of the first week of action.

The pick of the games sees the champions of Spain take on the champions of England as Real Madrid meet Man City at the Bernabeu. Madrid are the 7/10 (ladbrokes) favourites for the game having lost just one of their last 14 home games in the competition (and that was to Barcelona). City can take heart from the disappointing start to the season that Los Blancos have made. From their first four league games they have gained just four points. The Blues are unbeaten in the league picking up eight points from four games. City must look to improve on their away form from last season when they picked up just three points from their three group away games. Those who fancy City can get 41/9 (pinnacle) or the draw at 23/5 (pinnacle). The other game in that group also pits champions against each other as the champions of Germany (Borussia Dortmund) take on the champions of Holland (Ajax). Dortmund are the 6/13 (Pinnacle/32red) favourites to win this game while the draw is a best priced 40/11 (Pinnacle) and the away win is 65/9 (Pinnacle). Although I think Dortmund are the better team I would not be rushing to back them at those prices as they did not exactly set the Champions League alight last time out. Ajax are no mugs and I like them at +1.00 on the Asian Handicap at 16/13 (Pinnacle).

In Group A PSG take on Dynamo Kiev with the French side the 4/6 (general) favourites. The French side had a slow start to the season drawing their first three league games though have won their last two and are showing signs of clicking. Kiev are third in the Russian league and are 51/10 (Pinnacle) victory while the draw is 45/16 (Pinnacle). I like the 18/1 (bet365) are offering on Niko Kranjcar to net first or 6/1 (bet365) to score at anytime. The Croatian plays just off the front two and has grabbed four this season including two in his last game. The other group game sees Dinamo Zagreb up against Porto. The Portuguese side are the evens (Pinnacle) favourites to take victory while the draw is 5/2 (BWin) and the away win is 63/19 (Pinnacle). I think the bookmakers have got the prices about right here.

Arsenal are in action on Tuesday night as they take on Montpellier. I think the 13/10 (william hill/pinnacle) is a great price for the Gunners. The French side have made a disappointing start to the season claiming just four points from five games and the Gunners should have too much fire power for them. The other game in the group sees Olympiakos take on Schalke and bookmakers are finding it hard to split the pair. The Greek side are 20/11 (Pinnacle) while the Germans are 9/5 (Coral/william hill). I think this looks a close encounter and would recommend a small wager on the draw at 68/29 (Pinnacle).

Finally in Group C Milan are 8/15 (Blue Sq/888 Sport) to see off Anderlecht which is a price I could not be involved in as the Italians have made a poor start to the season. I like the 20/19 (188 Bet) are offering on Anderlecht +1 on the Asian Handicap. The Belgian side are no mugs and Milan do not possess the firepower to blow a side away. The other game sees Malaga taking on Zenit St Petersburg. This looks another tough game to call with both sides in good form this season. The Spaniards are 18/11 (Pinnacle), the Russians are 17/9 (Pinnacle) and the draw is 19/8 (Pinnacle).

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16/09/2012     © Frixo 2024