Oscar to take the plaudits for Chelsea

Tuesday night saw a number of uncompetitive games in the Champions League as seven of these games had a two goal or higher winning margin. Five of the eight games on Wednesday night see short-priced favourties as Barcelona should see off CSKA Moscow, Atletico Madrid should have few problems with Zenit, Schalke should have too much for Steaua Bucharest and Porto can take on Austria Vienna.

Another game that does not look like being competitive is the battle between Chelsea and Basel at Stamford Bridge (19:45, SKY). The London side are 7/19 (188 BET) and are unbeaten in their last 29 Champions League group stage games at their own ground. Basel meanwhile have won just three of their last 16 games away from home in this competition.

These sides met in the semi-finals of the Europa League last season with Chelsea coming out on top in both games winning 2-1 in Basel and 3-1 in London.

Samuel Eto’o has netted 27 goals in the Champions League throughout his career and he is 11/10 (GENERAL) to score anytime while Fernando Torres is a 6/5 (TOTESPORT/betfred/CORAL) chance. The better value could be in siding with Oscar if the Brazilan gets the selection as he is 5/2 (TOTESPORT/betfred). Oscar grabbed four goals in three Champions League games at Stamford Bridge last season.

Those looking for a Basel scorer might be interested Marco Streller who has netted four goals in five matches and is 5/1 (TOTESPORT/betfred) to score anytime while Fabian Schar has five goals in his last nine games including three in his last two. The Swiss defender is also likely to be on penalties so odds of 11/1 (paddy Power) anytime look generous.

The other English team in action on Wednesday night is Arsenal who travel to Marseille (19:45, SKY). A trip to France is never easy though such is the hard nature of the group that this game actually represents the easiest away trip the Gunners have. The North London side have won each of their last nine away from home in all competitions and lost just one of their last five away in the Champions League. A lot will depend if Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott pass fitness tests. You can back the Gunners at 6/4 (GENERAL) and the draw is a 12/5 (GENERAL) and a Marseille victory is 9/4 (WINNER/188 BET).

Arsenal have scored three times in each of their three away games so far this season so I think they look value to score over 1.5 goals at 6/4 (CORAL). The French side have let in two or more in four of their last five Champions League games.

The two closest games could be the one between Milan and Celtic and Napoli and Dortmund. Celtic have lost 22 of their 24 away games in this tournament including three away defeats to their opponents Milan. The Italian team are 8/15 (william hill) for victory.

I think Celtic can cause Milan some problems and frustrate them and you can play this two ways back the Glasgow side and look to lay them off later or have an interest in the 6/5 (ladbrokes) that Celtic do not conceded in the first half. Napoli and Borussia Dortmund to draw in Italy looks the value at 5/2 (bet365). Both sides will know that they need to get off to a good start. The Germans were the runners-up last season while Rafa Benitez has a talented Napoli side who have started the season on-fire.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Oscar to score anytime v Basel, 5/2 (TOTESPORT/betfred)
SILVER: Napoli and Dortmund to end in a draw, 5/2 (BET 365)
BRONZE: Arsenal to score over 1.5 goals, 6/4 (CORAL)

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19/09/2013     © Frixo 2026