The international break already seems like a long time ago and we now move swiftly from domestic league action to the Champions League and Europa League, with some huge games this midweek and all the English sides in action. Probably the tie of the round sees Bayern Munich travel to Roma, although Liverpool versus Real Madrid isn’t far behind. We’ve got five great tips for you from three days of brilliant football action, so tuck in!
Tuesday 21st October 2014
Chelsea v Maribor (19:45) – Chelsea to win and both teams to score (12/5 with Betfair)
Chelsea are huge favourites to dispatch Maribor on home soil, priced at best odds of just 1/7 and we expect them to get the job done with relative ease. However, their attacking prowess this term has come at a cost defensively and we fancy backing the visitors to get a consolation goal is the way to go here, that option being available at standout odds in Betfair’s sportsbook. The Pensioners sit top of the Premier League but they conceded seven goals in their first seven Premier League games and simply aren’t as watertight as they once were.
Prior to Saturday’s game against Palace they kept three straight clean sheets but at long odds we think backing the home win in tandem with BTTS is a good call here. Chelsea will want to turn on the style against the Slovenians and given Maribor have scored in both their previous Champions League games we think they will certainly have the space and quality to enjoy some attacking spells. We could see this ending three (or maybe even four) goals to one but, correct score predictions aside, 12/5 is just too big to turn down for Chelsea to win and both to score.
Roma v Bayern Munich (19:45) – both teams to score (7/10 with BetVictor)
This is a real heavyweight clash as Roma face 2013 Champions League winners Bayern Munich in Italy. Munich have eased their way into this season and prior to their game against Werder Bremen have won four games in a row without conceding and have in fact kept a staggering seven clean sheets in a row. It may, therefore, come as something as a surprise to see us tipping BTTS here, especially at a relatively short price but we’ve been impressed by Roma this term.
They look to be building and growing into a formidable outfit and with the timeless Francesco Totti still displaying his magical skills up front and the superb Miralem Pjanic doing the same from a little deeper, we’re convinced the home side can get a goal. Given Pep Guardiola’s men have been far from perfect on their travels – they have drawn two out of three in the league – we wouldn’t be surprised if the home team took something from this one but we certainly feel they have enough class to end Bayern’s impressive defensive record.
Wednesday 22nd October 2014
Anderlecht v Arsenal (19:45) – Arsenal to win to nil (21/10 with Betfred)
The Gunners have a number of injury concerns at the moment but the simple fact is they will have far too much class for a decidedly average Anderlecht side. The Belgians may top their domestic league but fixtures have been kind to them thus far and we expect a repeat of the gulf in class that was evident when Dortmund beat them 3-0 in Belgium at the start of the month. Whilst the Purple and Whites have one or two classy players, notably Steven Defour, once linked with Arsenal, overall the visitors will simply prove too skilful and too fast.
Arsenal rarely keep clean sheets but we think they will do so here, primarily because the home team are far from strong in the final third. They have just the eighth most potent home attack in Belgian football and odds of 21/10 for the Gunners to get the win without conceding look generous.
Liverpool v Real Madrid (19:45) – over 4.5 goals (4/1 with BetVictor)
The Kop faithful will be salivating at the thought of this one and whilst they may approach it with a little trepidation, given their side’s current form, they will be well aware of the proud record Liverpool, hold against Real. In three previous meetings they are yet to concede, having won all three, including a 4-0 home win in the Champions League in 2009. However, somehow, just somehow, we think the visitors may manage a goal – or two, or three… – this time around.
The Reds’ defence has been poor under Brendan Rodgers and Dejan Lovren’s injury sustained on international duty with Croatia will only weaken his options at the back. Cristiano Ronaldo is sure to receive a hostile reception as a former Man United player but with Gareth Bale and so many other world class attacking talents, even if Ronaldo has a very rare off day we would be amazed to see the home side keep a clean sheet. In La Liga Madrid have scored 12 goals in their three away games and whilst they only managed two at Ludogorets they are sure to be more motivated here. With Liverpool yet to keep a clean sheet at Anfield in four Premier League games we predict goals and lots of them.
Thursday 23rd October 2014
Lille v Everton (18:00) – match to end 1-1 (6/1 with BetVictor)
This game is exceptionally tough to predict so we’ve opted for something of an outsider, with 1-1 our main betting tip at healthy odds. There is little between the sides, as shown by the fact that both have drawn 1-1 with group rivals Krasnodar. Moreover, the bookies price the sides up quite evenly too, with Lille available at 5/4 and both the draw and Everton a little longer at 12/5. Given Everton drew with Russian side Krasnodar away from home, whilst Lille played them at home, and the Toffees also enjoyed a far superior result against Wolfsburg, it could be argued that there is some value in backing the away win but on balance we’d rather try our luck with a longshot here.
Neither side is in great form, with the French outfit managing just two wins in their last nine in all competitions and Everton winless in five (both stats prior to the weekend’s action). As such we feel a fairly scrappy game could ensue, with both teams battling for everything and with Everton top of Group H a draw here would leave them very well set with two home games to come.