Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Champions League - Matchday 2 (3rd October 2012)


Zenit (6/5) v AC Milan (5/2)

For all the wealth and talent that Zenit have, they’ve been suffering badly of late – they’re five points off the lead set by Anzhi - and there are rumors that the team isn’t a complete unit after the big money arrivals of Axel Wistel and Hulk. AC Milan are suffering their worst start to a Serie A campaign in recent memory. Both sides were awful in Matchday 1 but Zenit have won ten and lost none of the last 13 home games in European competition, so would have to be the bet to beat a Milan side lacking in quality and confidence. With their biggest 5 matches having seen both teams scoring

Advice: 1 pt Zenit (6/5 general)

Ajax (13/2) v Real Madrid (1/2)

Real Madrid have stuttered so far this season but are beginning to find their feet – and just in time given that they have the Clasico ahead of them this weekend – and have won the last four matches between the sides by an aggregate score of 12-0, something that is particularly prevalent given the fact they’ve met at this stage for the last two years. Ajax will be a tough test but they should be upto winning and winning this well, so have a small poke on them to win both halves today as Ajax have failed to score in four of their last five European home matches.

Advice: 1 pt Real Madrid to win both halves (13/5 Paddy Power)

Anderlecht (2) v Malaga (7/5)

Malaga have had a very troubled summer but they’ve bounced back in tremendous style so far this this season and they were terrific in their 3-0 win against Zenit on Matchday one. It’s quite a surprise to see them as big as 6/4 to beat Zenit following not just that result, but a thumping League win against Betis. Anderlecht grabbed a point from Milan but they were misfiring very badly at the time and they’ve not won at home in the Champions League for 9 years.

Advice: 2 pts Malaga (7/5 general)

Dynamo Kiev (1/2) v Dyanmo Zagreb (15/2)


Kiev are either worthy odds on shots of bad value based on which results you look at. A 4-1 defeat away to PSG on Matchday one makes for uncomfortable reading and Oleg Bolkin’s arrival is a slight on heavy defeats to Shaktar in the League and cup. However, they won seven of their eight home matches this season and Zagreb have failed to score in three of their last four matches this season.  This might be a high scoring encounter given that both sides prefer to go forward rather than being on the backfoot.

Advice: 1 pt Over 2.5 goals (4/5 general)

Manchester City (11/10) v Bor Dortmund (11/4)

Are Manchester City as good as they were last year? It’s a question that’s beginning to become more and more prevalent with every passing game and Mancini’s men have won just two of their last 6 games, not keeping a clean sheet in 9 games this season. They’ve been playing fairly well in attack, but even so there’s a worrying openness about them this season that teams such as Borussia Dortmund – themselves not as good on their travels this season – can take advantage of. The value’s gone from both teams to score (sadly) but it still looks a lock, while the 5/6 on over 2.5 goals is well worth snapping up in what should be a very open game.

Advice: 4 pts Over 2.5 goals (5/6 general)

Porto (11/8) v PSG (2)

PSG made a statement of intent when thrashing Kiev 4-1 on Matchday one and they can send an even bigger message by beating Porto at home tonight. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have taken time to gel this season but are now unbeaten in 12 competitive games and have won their last five in a row. Porto will be a tough test but PSG’s momentum could count for a an awful lot here.

Advice: 2 pts PSG (2/1 general)

Schalke 04 (1/2) v Montpellier (15/2)

Montpellier look a shadow of the side that won the French title last season and were eventually well held by Arsenal on Matchday one, so look easy meat for Schalke, who got off to flyer when beating Olympiakos in Greece on Matchday one. Over 2.5 goals is a great 5/6 shot but the 2/1 on Schalke netting 3 times is far too tempting to ignore.

Advice: 2 pts Schalke to score 3 or more (2/1 Coral)

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