Man Utd vs Real Sociedad
Manchester United are odds on to beat Sociedad this evening, with a best price of 4/7 available. These odds are for side whcih has never scored more than once in 12 games against Spanish opposition and also has conceded at least once in each of their last nine Champions League games. United a clearly struggling at the moment, with a home draw against Southampton on the weekend emphasising this. There is no doubt that the Red Devils should still be favourites in this game however, as Sociedad have been poor this season. Sociedad have won only one of their last nine competitive games since twice beating Lyon in this season’s Champions League qualifiers. They are also without a win in their last eight games in the Champions League proper. The stats from United’s form suggest backing both teams to score at around 20/21. I do not however feel this is a great game for betting in, so I am tipping a couple of bets with decent odds and small stakes. Although not in scintillating form, Robin Van Persie (5 goals this season so far) is still popping up with goals, and after successfully tipping him to score first against Southampton on the weekend, I’m finding it difficult to turn down 4/1 on him to score first this evening. United to win 2-1 is best price of 17/2 and I will also be having a small bet on that too.
Suggested Bets:
Robin Van Persie – First Goalscorer @4/1 (Ladbrokes)
Man Utd to win 2-1 @17/2 (BetVictor)
CSKA Moscow vs Man City
A chilly early kick off lies in wait for Man City in Moscow this evening. CSKA have underperformed this season and having lost five of their last seven games they currently sit in fifth place in the Russian Premier League. Man City are more than likely battling it out for second place in this group (behind Bayern Munich) and need to make the most of games against the Russian outfit. CSKA are using the provincial Arena Khimki on the outskirts of Moscow and temperatures are expected to be around freezing. These conditions won’t be enjoyable for Man City’s stars, although I still predict them to pull through and win the game but it won’t be at a canter in my opinion. City have scored an impressive 29 goals this season and I fully expect them to score this evening too. This combined with Joe Hart’s poor form and the absence of captain, leader and best defender Vincent Kompany means both teams to score is something I will be backing for this game at 10/11.
Suggested Bet:
Both Teams to Score @10/11 (WilliamHill)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Shakhtar Donetsk
An interesting week for Leverkusen has seen a lot of publicity over Steffan Kiessling’s ghost goal. I don’t think this will unnerve them, and I expect them to overcome Shakhtar in this evening’s game. Leverkusen have been beaten just once this season, and have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions. Even more impressively they have claimed victory in their last seven group stage matches at home in the Champions League, beating teams such as Valencia and Chelsea in this period. For these reasons I feel as though 11/10 is a decent price for them to win this evening.
Suggested Bet:
Leverkusen to win @21/20 (various bookmakers)
Galatasaray vs FC Copenhagen
The Turkish side have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine matches in all competitions, with both teams scoring in eight of those games. Both teams have scored in 11 of Copenhagen’s last 13 matches too and their 4-0 loss at Real Madrid was the only match where the Danish side have failed to net in that run. Back both teams to score in this one.
Suggested Bet:
Both teams to score @4/5 (BetVictor)
Real Madrid vs Juventus
Juventus will still be reeling from being 2-0 ahead after an hour to Fiorentina and then losing the game 4-2. This was however their first defeat in 23 matches, and I expect them to put in a response against Madrid this evening. Having said this Madrid are starting to hit some good form. Saturday’s 2-0 win against Malaga coincided with Barca and Atletico dropping points for the first time this season in La Liga. Beat their rivals in El Classico next weekend and Real can join them on 25 points. Having said this, Real have made hard work of things on various occasions this season, being held by Villarreal, requiring late winners against Elche and Levante and losing the derby to Atletico. I don’t think it will be plain sailing for Ancelotti’s men. Ronaldo to score at anytime is available at 8/13 – roughly the same odds as a Madrid win – and I would probably be more inclined to back this than Madrid to actually win. I am also having a small bet on a 1-1 draw at 17/2, as I think Juventus have the capability to pull off a shock and those odds are too good to turn down. Plus backing 1-1 at 17/2 is a better bet than simply backing the draw at 3/1.
Suggested Bets:
Ronaldo to score anytime @8/13 (Bet365)
1-1 Full Time Result @17/2 (BetVictor)
Benfica vs Olympiakos
Benfica trail Porto by 5 points domestically and lost 3-0 to PSG last time out, however they did win 2-0 to Anderlecht in their first group game. Notoriously bad on the road, Benfica will be very happy to be back on home soil. Benfica have won 5 out of their last 7 at home in the Champions League, with the two defeats coming against European powerhouses Barcelona and Chelsea. Olympiakos have taken 22 points from a possible 24 domestically under their new coach Michel, but I think Benfica will have too much at home and are one for the multiple.
Suggested Bet:
Benfica to win @17/20 (BetVictor)
Anderlecht vs Paris Saint Germain
Since returning to the Champions League after an 8 year absence PSG have won four of their six matches on the road with the only blemishes being a 1-0 defeat away at Porto and a 1-1 draw at Barcelona – both of which can easily be forgiven. I fully expect them to beat an Anderlecht side whose domestic form flatters to deceive. Anderlecht are still minnows of the Champions League, and have lost their opening two matches of this campaign. Also one of the most prolific strikers in the game Zlatan Ibrahimovic should get on the score sheet at some point this evening, and is 10/11 to do so.
Suggested Bet:
PSG to win @4/9 (various bookmakers)
Bayern Munich vs Viktoria Plzen
Bayern will win this comfortably, and there is no point in backing them to win at ridiculously short odds. I am therefore looking into the goalscorer markets and one bet stands out for me. Arjen Robben has scored in each of Bayern’s past five Champions League games and has scored four in his last five for club and country. The Dutch winger is aiming to become the fourth man ever to score in six consecutive Champions League matches and he could not have picked better opponents than Plzen, who have conceded six in their two group games thus far. Therefore this is my best bet for this evening’s game.
Suggested Bet:
Arjen Robben to score anytime @21/20 (Bet365)
All of these are singles but there are also 3 suggested multiples using these tips for this evening….
Treble#1: PSG, Benfica and Leverkusen all to win @ 9/2 (NAP)
Treble#2: Ronaldo, Robben and Van Persie all to score at anytime @5/1 (NB)
5 FOLD: BTTS in Galatasaray and Man City matches and PSG, Benfica and Leverkusen all to win @18/1 (IWAC)
By James Caird
Twitter: @CockneyTipster