Football Betting Blog - Champions League Matchday 3 Part 1

A quick read of this blog is required, with not much time (PC Problems). The early game is Spartak Moscow v Chelsea, but with Spartak having won their first 2 games, and Chelsea missing a few key players due to injuries, it’s not really a standout betting contest. I fancy Chelsea to win the whole competition, and on that basis they must take the beating at evens, but that would be all. The best game of the night also gets a preview.

In the ‘Group of Death’, AJAX will look to keep their dream of reaching the Champions League knock-out stages alive when they meet an Auxerre side in something of a state of disarray.
The Dutch runners-up need to keep in close contact with Real Madrid and Milan at the summit of the table, and they took a step towards the last 16 three weeks ago when they earned a home draw with the Rossoneri. That point was enough to keep them in contact with the Italians, and with Auxerre the designated “whipping boys” of this group, they are surely a must win 3 points for Martin Jol’s side, who will want to gain ground on Milan. Auxerre should be beaten, and it will take a dramatic turnaround in AJA’s fortunes if they are to earn a positive result against Ajax, particularly as they are in the midst of something of an injury crisis at present. Take the home side at 4/7.

Speaking of Milan, they play in the match of the competition so far (potentially) against REAL MADRID, following on from an awesome 3-2 win for them at the Bernabeu last year. Things have changed though, and while Madrid are arguably even stronger, so are Milan for having Robinhio, Pato, and Champions League scoring machine Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Critics in Spain say that Madrid have not been spectacular but it takes time for a coach to gel in (not to mentions the signings of Di Maria, Ozil and new star Sergio Canales) but they have been pretty much consistent and under coach Jose Mourinho have also strengthened at the back, which will be crucial to their chances of winning in Europe this season.

I don’t get the “Real Madrid are boring” view. In the last 2 weeks, they have scored 10 goals in La Liga, defeating Deportivo La Coruna 6-1 at the Bernabeu and then winning 4-1 away at Malaga at the weekend.

Many will point to the fact that this provides Mourinho with his sternest challenge so far in the Spanish capital, but Madrid’s midfield, led by Xabi Alonso and backed up by Sami Khedira, may be able to outpoint their ageing counterparts, while there is no comparison in defence, where Milan have been sloppy this season, so take the home side at 4/7 to win. Also, it’s worth a punt on over 2.5 goals in the game given that both teams have attacking strength in depth.

BAYERN MUNICH may have been struggling in the German Bundesliga but last season’s Champions League finalists have looked superb in Europe, and after two wins in their opening two matches in Group E are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stage.

Cluj will be no pushovers but my suspicion is that it’s a lot harder for them away from home and the Allianz Arena is no easy place to go (Man Utd and Lyon where just 2 of the teams to be beaten there last season).

Cluj suffered a defeat in Rome on Matchday Two but it was not before they had their moments, creating chances, breaking clear on more than one occasion on the counter attack, forcing good saves and hitting the post. That said, Bayern do at least come into this game of a 3 -0 win in Germany (Striker Mario Gomez notably got a hat - trick) and might worth be backing at -1 in the handicap (Cluj get a 1 goal head start).

Some would think that ROMA are there for the taking at the Stadio Olimpico, but I feel differently. Roma’s season has been topsy-turvy so far as they have struggled in Serie A and have not looked very convincing in Europe either but a 2-1 win against Genoa propelled the former Italian champions out of the relegation zone last weekend, and things should now be easier.

Roma were abysmal against Munich (but made themselves difficult to beat) and will be hard for Basel to beat at the Stadio Olimpico, even with 3 forwards missing, so take them at 8/13 with the Tote.

Arsenal v Shaktar should be a competitive match with both teams coming off the back of wins, and even with preference of my beloved Gunners I wouldn’t want to play them at short prices. Baraga and Partizan have been as bad as each other so I wouldn’t want to back either or the draw, while I think that Marsellie might find that Zilina are no pushovers even at the Velodrome, so they are not to be backed at 3/1 or on the handicap, with marginal preference for a small punt on Zilina with a 2 goal start.

Recommendations

Ajax to beat Auxerre (4/6 Betfred, Totesport, Coral)

Real Madrid to beat AC Milan (4/6 William Hill, Totesport, 7/10 Boylesports)

More than 2.5 goals in Real Madrid v AC Milan (4/6 and 8/11 general)

Bayern Munich to beat Cluj giving a 1 goal start (4/6 Skybet)

Roma to beat Basel (8/13 Totesport)

Zilina to beat Marseille with a 2 goal start (20/21 Bet365)