The Champions League returns this year without Manchester United for the first time since 1995 and the four English clubs looking to overcome the recent dominance by German and Spanish sides. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea look in good shape, Arsene Wenger has spent a large fee on a player for the second consecutive summer, Manchester City will look to add some European silverware to another domestic title whilst Liverpool return to the tournament they have won five times already. Could this be the year we have another English winner?
This article will give a preview featuring tips for the English teams’ first round of games in Europe’s group phase, helping you choose your bets carefully and, we hope, profitably!
Tuesday 16th September 2014
Liverpool v Ludogorets Razgrad (19:45) – Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score (21/10 with Coral)
After a five year absence from the pinnacle of European football, Liverpool start their campaign against a side who have already had quite a journey to get here – winning on penalties in the qualifiers with their centre back playing in net for the shootout. Ludogorets reached the last 16 of the Europa League last year, knocking out Lazio on the way so will be no pushovers. Still, Liverpool remain strong favourites with Bet365 offering 1/5 on a Liverpool win. A draw is a best priced 6/1 with the same bookies, whilst Ladbrokes offer the best odds for a shock away win at 14/1.
As well as this being Brendan Rodgers’ first taste of Champions League action, Raheem Sterling will also make his debut in the competition. The 19-year-old scored first in two of the Red’s Premier League fixtures and is our tip to score first in this game at nice odds of 6/1 with Bet365. Due to Liverpool’s frailty at the back but strength going forward, we are tipping Liverpool to win but concede in this game which is at 21/10 with Coral.
Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal (19:45) – Draw (11/4 with Bet365)
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have been drawn against each other for the third time in four years, with some enthralling fixtures between the two taking place. These two sides look to be battling for qualification as winners from the group, but Dortmund are the favourites for this one with Coral and Ladbrokes offering evens for a home win. The Gunners are a best priced 3/1 with Bet365 and our tip for this one, a draw, is 11/4 with the same bookie.
After the injury to Olivier Giroud forced Arsene Wenger back into the transfer market on deadline day, it looks like Danny Welbeck will lead the line for this game with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil supporting him. Marco Reus has returned to the Dortmund side after being ruled out of the World Cup through injury and has already scored first once this season but is now injured once more and that weakens the home side significantly. We can see both teams scoring in this fixture, which has odds of 3/5 (BetVictor) by itself or 15/4 for a score draw but the draw itself is our main betting tip.
Wednesday 17th September 2014
Bayern Munich v Manchester City (19:45) – Munich to win (8/13 with Totesport)
Again, these two sides were drawn against each other last season, with this fixture ending in a famous away win for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Interestingly three of Bayern Munich’s last four home Champions League defeats have come against English sides. For a continuation of this poor record against the English, Ladbrokes are offering 4/1 for an away win. The draw is best priced at 10/3 by Bet365 whilst numerous bookmakers including Totesport are offering 8/13 for a Munich win.
Robert Lewandowski’s arrival on a free transfer from rivals Borussia Dortmund will have Munich fans very excited, especially with 16 goals in his last 21 Champions League games. We are tipping him to score and Munich to win, with possible scorecasts and wincasts usually generating great odds. We are also expecting another game with plenty of goals in it, with 13 goals in the last four meetings between the sides. Two of the last four clashes have also seen goals in the first 10 minutes, which may be worth a punt at 10/3 with BetVictor.
Chelsea v Schalke (19:45) – Chelsea to win to nil (13/10 with Ladbrokes)
After talking about his Chelsea side being a “little horse” last season, Jose Mourinho’s side looks like a stallion this year with Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas looking like the missing pieces of the jigsaw. Schalke, however, look a tidy outfit, with German youngsters Max Meyer and Julian Draxler attracting a lot of interest whilst captain Benedikt Howedes provides experience having played in every single game of Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph. This competition is, however, the “one that got away” for Mourinho in his last spell at Stamford Bridge and he will be determined to get off to the best possible start in this year’s tournament. Coral have the best odds for an expected Chelsea victory at 2/5, whilst the draw is best priced at 15/4 by Ladbrokes with the same bookie also having the best odds for a Schalke win at 15/2.
These two teams played each other in the group stages of the Champions League last season as well, with Chelsea scoring seven goals over the two legs without conceding. Our tip for this game is for Chelsea to win to nil again which is 13/10 with Ladbrokes. The Blues’ back five looks as solid as ever and with Thibaut Courtois looking to consolidate his position as Chelsea’s first choice ‘keeper he will be eager to mark his first Champions League game for his team with a clean sheet and we think he will, despite Schalke’s attacking talents.