As the football season is now kicking in to gear, the Champions League really starts grabbing viewers’ attention this week. The competition is now at the play-off stage, which is the final hurdle for the teams hoping to make the group phase. This is when the tournament starts to get serious, especially once you consider the kind of matches we have coming up in this round.
The most exciting play-offs will see meetings between Italian and German opposition, and Spanish and French. That shows that these games are no longer straightforward nuisances for big sides, they’re tough tests. With Manchester United and Celtic both in action, there’s plenty for fans to take in this week. Here we have previews of all the games we mentioned, plus betting tips for each.
Tuesday 18th August 2015
Manchester United v Club Brugge (19:45) – United to win -1 handicap (5/6 with Sky Bet)
This is the game that will really kick off BT Sport’s new coverage of the Champions League. While they’ve been covering the early rounds, this is the time that more casual viewers get involved. Any United game is bound to get a lot of attention, so this is the perfect chance for BT to show off the jewel in their broadcasting crown. Expect a lot of fanfare before the game, but during? That’s going to be a very different story.
United have started the season like they ended the last, paying functional football and not really lighting things up. They should win this game comfortably, but it’s hard to see them tearing through a Brugge side who should be there for the taking. After losing away to Panathinaikos in the last round, the Belgians should be easy fodder for United as they look to make the group stage. We’re backing United to win on the -1 handicap, as they should win by a good distance, but will probably only score a couple, before settling for a victory.
Lazio v Bayer Leverkusen (19:45) – Over 2.5 goals (21/20 with Betfair)
Michel Platini’s qualifying revamp means we get huge ties like this in qualifying, but it’s hard to tell if that’s a good idea or not. While this is the kind of game we’d love to see in the group, it’s certainly livened up qualifying. Although the changes mean we see more giants against minnows games, we’re seeing teams from two of the top four major leagues in Europe play each other, and one of those leagues will lose a team from their Champions League entrants before the group stages even begin. But just which one will make the cut?
Leverkusen’s experience in this competition should really give them the edge, as should having the away leg up first. Lazio are a good side, as they showed on their way to a top three finish in Serie A last term. This should actually be a very good game, probably one for those who don’t want to see United ease to victory. We’re predicting goals in Rome as well, with both of these sides vulnerable at the back. While both teams to score is odds on, you can get a great price on three or more goals in the match, and that’s where we’re putting our money.
Wednesday 19th August 2015
Celtic v Malmo (19:45) – Celtic to win to nil (15/8 with Sky Bet)
Wednesday night sees the focus shift to Celtic, as they take on Swedish Champions Malmo. That is by no means an easy task for the Scots, especially after their slip up away to Kilmarnock in the league. They need to be in top form when they get back in Champions League action, as the money they’d receive for making the group stage would be crucial to the club. A win over the Swedes could be the difference between a quiet summer and a late August transfer flurry at Celtic Park. Before that, they’ll have to get through with the players they have.
Those players have carried them through two qualifying rounds, but this is their toughest task yet. Beating Malmo would be a fantastic result for Celtic, and it would finally give manager Ronny Deila the chance to prove himself against Europe’s best. We see him keeping things tight here early on, with the Celts looking to defend well and protect against the away goal. Don’t expect anything late, and draw/Celtic on the half-time/full-time is worth looking at. We’re going for the hosts to win to nil though, priced at just under 2/1. They should push forward as the game wears on, and we’re backing them to just about nick this one.
Valencia v Monaco (19:45) – Valencia to win (17/20 with Sky Bet)
Another huge clash sees Valencia hosting last season’s quarter finalists Monaco, with both sides desperate to make it in to the next round. Valencia have invested heavily this summer, and that means there’s going to be huge expectation on them to make it through to the group stage. On top of that, there’s an added bonus for La Liga, who could have five teams in the group stages if Valencia win, after Sevilla’s Europa League victory last season. But, after over two years outside of the competition, can Valencia adjust back quickly?
Champions League football is certainly a different animal compared with any other club tournament, and Monaco worked it out pretty well last year. They shocked everyone making the quarter finals, going out to finalists Juventus. They could well spring a surprise again here, but it’s hard to see them being able to make it past the Spaniards. After a mixed summer for the French side, they look a lot weaker than the team from last year. Getting Valencia at just short of evens looks like fantastic value ahead of this one, and we’re backing them to get a win before the second leg in France next week.