BATE (11/10) v Lille
(14/5)
With the loss of talisman and star player Eden Hzard, Lille
have been badly exposed in this season’s Champions League, conceding three goals
a game on average one of only two sides yet to register a point. BATE may have
been beaten by Valencia on the last two matchdays but they’re a force to be dealt
with at home and have a big opportunity to put themselves back in the race for qualification
here.
Advice: 2 pts BATE (11/10 general)
Spartak (11) v
Barcelona (3/10)
Spartak have only won two of their 14 home games in the
Champions League and look vulnerable against a Barcelona side which has scored
at least 3 goals in 5 of their last 6 games and can now call upon first choice defensive
pair Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol. The hosts also have an immense injury
crisis, with all three goalkeepers on the sidelines, along with strikers Artem
Dzyuba and Welliton while skipper Sergei Parshivlyuk is also absent.
Advice: 2 pts Barcelona to score 3 or more goals (19/20
Sportingbet)
Benfica (1/2) v
Celtic (7)
A scoring draw will get Celtic through to the last 16 and
they look well capable of taking a draw against Benfica to all but get the job
done. Neil Lennon’s side reversed a long time away hoodoo against Spartak Moscow
on the second matchday and if able to show the resolve which saw them keep out
the Catalans, they will give Benfica a serious test.
Advice: 1 pt Celtic +1.25 on Asian H’Cap (5/6 188Bet)
Valencia (5/2) v
Bayern Munich (13/10)
Valencia have improved upon their sloppy start to get some
sort of a run going in La Liga and should contribute to an exciting game on the
home turf which suits them so well. In La Liga Los Che have won five and drawn
one at the Mestalla, including an impressive 2-0 win over second placed
Athleico Madrid less than three weeks ago. Bayern have the quality to make
their mark on the game but their away record in Europe is poor for a side of their quality, so Over
2.5 goals appeals more instead.
Advice: 2 pts Over 2.5 goals (8/11 Bet365)
Cluj
(11/5) v Braga (6/4)
Braga’s failure to hit the target
saw them lose 2-0 to Braga on the opening night but they can gain revenge
against Cluj tonight. The Portugese were 2-0 up at Old Trafford against a full
strength United side before the home side’s striking power turned things around
and beat Galatasray 2-0 in Turkey, so are
no mugs on the road and have enough to come away with a win tonight.
Advice: 1 pt Braga (6/4 Stan
James)
Nordsjaelland have done themselves
proud in the Champions League but have been unlucky to find themselves in a
group containing three teams who could easily be called semi – finalists and Shakhtar,
who outplayed Juventus and especially Chelsea away, could prove to be a class
apart.
Advice: 1 pt Shakhtar -1 (5/6
general)
Galatasaray
(21/20) v Manchester United (29/10)
With
United already through to the last 16 and several youth players in the squad
for today’s match, it’s no surprise to see Galatasaray favourites, but the
Turks have an unconvincing record at home in the competition and failed to beat
Braga and Cluj at home. Despite the changes, United’s first predicted team is
still set to have Herandez, Young, Wellbeck, Cleverley, Buttner, Rafael and
Phil Jones, and considering all that 8/11 on them for them to avoid defeat is
tempting, although the 18/1 for them to come from behind and win with
Boylesports is too big to resist, having fallen behind in 12 of their 18
matches (eight in 12 Premier League games) this season, yet managed to hit back
and win on eight occasions.
Advice: 1 pt Manchester United to
win from behind (18/1 Boylesports)
Juventus (4/5) v
Chelsea (7/2)
Despite drawing 3 of
their 4 games, Juventus are in a prime position to reach the last 16 if they
can beat Chelsea, and with Roberto Di Matteo’s side suffering what seems to be
their annual Ocotber/November slump, it’s no surprise to see the Serie A
leaders as favourites, having lost just one game in some 53 games. With Chelsea
having let in two goals in three of their games so far, and Chelsea having won
two of their last nine Champions League away games, they’re worthy favourites
despite a stuttering 0-0 against Lazio on Sunday, but the best value might be
both teams to score. It’s happened in all of Juve’s games bar Nordsjelland at
home and Chelsea’s last 9, so looks to be more secure than either side at the
match prices (indeed the draw might not be the worst value, or 2-1 to Juve).
Advice: 3 pts Both teams to score (8/11 Stan James)
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