UEFA Champions League Preview

Uefa Champions League

Football
Published: 25/03/2014

MAN UNITED V OLYMPIAKOS, Wednesday 19th March, 19:45, SKY SPORTS 1

David Moyes must be a nervous man on Wednesday evening as he knows he needs a victory over Olympiakos and for his Man United side to book their place in the last eight if he has any hope of being handed another season at the helm of the Red Devils. Bookmakers make the home side just 11/20 (BETVICTOR) for victory as they look to continue a run of four wins from four home games against Greek sides in the Champions League. United have also won 13 of their last 15 Champions League home games in the knockout stages. A win might not be enough to send United through as the Greek side hold a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and you can get 6/13 (BWIN) that Olympiakos go through to the last eight while United are 2/1 (BETVICTOR/888 SPORT/unibet) to progress.

Olympiakos have lost all seven of their Champions League games in England though if you think they can repeat their first leg victory then you can back them at 6/1 (GENERAL) while this game to end all square is a 15/4 (bet365).

Those looking for a bet in the first market goalscorer will see the prices are headed by Robin van Persie at 7/2 (GENERAL) while Wayne Rooney is a 9/2 (paddy Power/STAN JAMES/SPREADEX) shot. Those looking for an Olympiakos player might be interested in Joel Campbell who scored in the opener and is as big as 6/1 (GENERAL) to net anytime.

The best bet in the game is to take the game to have under 2.5 goals, United are not exactly creating a hatful of chances and just because the game needs goals it does not mean that it will have them. Five of the last six matches the Red Devils have played in Europe have featured under 2.5 goals so 6/5 (STAN JAMES) looks on the generous side.

RECOMMENDATION: Over 2,5 goals 6/5 (STAN JAMES)

Borussia Dortmund v Zenit St Petersburg

The German side take a 4-2 into the second leg and are as short as 1/50 (CORAL) to qualify for the quarter-finals and 4/11 (GENERAL) to win the second leg. Dortmund have won eight of their last nine Champions League home games and have scored at least three goals in five of their last six. In addition Borussia are unbeaten in five previous meetings with Russian teams. All the signs are in place for a home win though I am always wary of backing a side who have a two goal advantage from the opening leg as the mentality is often a draw or a one goal loss will be enough to see them through.

Zenit have just moved to appoint Andre Villas Boas as their new manager which is a fascinating appointment. The Russian side lost last time out on the road in the Champions League going to a heavy defeat to Austria Vienna though they did record a victory at Porto in the group stages. If you think Zenit can come out on top here then they are available at a big price of 9/1 (GENERAL) while the draw is a 19/4 (bet365/BWIN) chance.

The first leg was a six goal thriller and I see no reason why the second leg can not be the same. bet365 are going 21/20 that both teams to score and this game goes over 2.5 goals. This would have paid in three of the four away games that Zenit have played in the competition this season and five of the seven matches Dortmund have played in the Champions League in 2013/14.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals, 21/20 (bet365)

Go To bet365
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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (25/03/2014) but are subject to change.

25/03/2014     © Frixo 2024

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