It’s and interesting week in the Champions League as the competition enters the final round of group matches. Arsenal is the only English side through to the knock-out stage so far and while the three remaining teams can join them, there is a real risk that all three could miss out. Wins are vital now, and in some cases, other results could still play an impact.
Arsenal travel to Olympiakos tonight in a game that really means little for the Gunners, except perhaps some pride. They are on eleven points so they cannot lose top placing in their group. Olympiakos are on six, a point behind Marseilles who will need a win away to Dortmund to qualify. Arsenal are at 3/1 to win with Olympiakos at evens and the draw 13/5. We’re tipping the draw in this game just to make the final outcome a little more interesting.
In tonight’s other game, Chelsea host Valencia in a game that intriguing given the permutations. A win for either side will see them through to the knock-out stage while a loss will relegate them back to the Europa League. For Chelsea, a scoreless draw will see them through while Valencia can get through with an any score draw. Of course, this is all premised on the group leader Leverkusen winning away to bottom placed Genk. If they lose, then Chelsea must win to proceed in the competition. Chelsea are quoted at 3/4 to win with Valencia out to 9/2 and the draw 3/1. Chelsea’s form of late has been totally unpredictable, even at home. We’re hoping as much as tipping them to win – a loss would certainly be a huge blow to their already deflated morale – pride may just get them over the line.
Tomorrow, Manchester United travel to Basel. Group C is one of the tightest groups with Benfica joint leaders with United on nine points a single point ahead of Basel. Benfica are through no matter the results, simply because of their record. This leaves United and Basel fighting for that second spot, a tough ask for United given it’s an away game. Bookmakers have United favourites to win at 8/13 with Basel unwanted at 6/1. Those odds under-rate Basel too much, especially since they are at home. United only need a draw to get through, and at 3/1, looks to be a good value bet.
The final game involving English clubs has Manchester City hosting Bayern Munich. Bayern are already through to the knock-out stage boasting 13 points from 5 games. Napoli are second with 8 points while City are struggling in third place on 7 points. City need to beat Bayern and hope that bottom placed Villareal defeat or draw with Napoli . The problem with that scenario is that Villareal have failed to earn a single point in this competition so far. Manchester City are at 4/6 to win with Bayern at 9/2 and the draw at 3/1. City should win this game, however, there will anxious moments while they await the results from the other game.
This weeks games have introduced some real intrigue into Champions League betting. It will be interesting to see who makes it through, and who gets relegated to the Europa League. At the end of this weeks round, Arsenal may well be the last English club standing in the competition.