The last of the Champions League group stage sides will be decided this week, as the play-offs come to their conclusion. Both Manchester City and Celtic carry big leads into the second leg clashes, and they’re desperate to be in the draw for the group stage. It’s hard to see either losing the leads they’ve built up but there are a few big European sides in danger of going out.
Both Villarreal and Ajax are in trouble ahead of their respective second legs, they could find themselves facing the ignominy of having to play in the Europa League instead. Here we’ve taken a look at all four of those matches, and we’ve picked out a betting tip on each.
Tuesday 23rd August 2016
Hapoel Beer Sheva v Celtic (19:45) – Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score (6/5 with Coral)
The first leg meeting between these two was fantastic entertainment. The Israelis have been defensive so far in their away legs, but they were forced to attack after Celtic raced into an early lead. Hapoel pulled two goals back after going 3-0 down, and that was almost enough to put them in the driving seat. Celtic rallied to claim a 5-2 win, but is that going to be enough to see them safety through? It would take a heavy defeat to send them packing, which means the hosts need to press forward from the start here.
Hapoel showed that they have some pretty big defensive problems, Celtic cut through them pretty easily in the first leg. It’s easy to see the Bhoys getting an away goal, especially since the hosts need to attack. This one looks set to be another end to end game, and we should get plenty more goals too. We’re backing over 2.5 goals here with both sides getting on the scoresheet. That’s priced at 6/5 with Coral, and that seems like a great price given how easily that was reached in the first leg.
Monaco v Villarreal (19:45) – Monaco to win (11/8 with Sky Bet)
Villarreal’s problems mounted in the first leg, as Monaco ran out 2-1 winners in Spain. Having lost their manager earlier this month after a quiet transfer window, the Yellow Submarine can’t have hoped for much. They were always going to have a tough time making it through this tie, but their first leg result makes it almost impossible for them now. They need to claim a win away to Monaco to do it, and even a 1-0 victory would send them out on away goals. They have to score at least twice, but we have little confidence in them after their first leg display.
Monaco have been handed a great chance to make the group stage, but can they take advantage? They’ve added well over the summer, unlike Villarreal, so you’d fancy a home win here. They’ve won three home Champions League games on the spin, and given their opponents’ form a fourth in a row looks likely. While Monaco don’t need a win, they’re a pretty open side and we can’t see them parking the bus. They’ll want to end this with a home victory, putting them comfortably through. They’re very well priced despite winning the away leg, with Sky Bet pricing them at 11/8 to claim another victory.
Wednesday 24th August 2016
Man City v Steaua Bucharest (19:45) – Man City -2 handicap (29/20 with Coral)
Sergio Aguero missed two penalties for Man City away to Steaua Bucharest, but he still managed a hat-trick as his side won 5-0. This was a massive mismatch from the start, with City’s expensive squad of superstars easily overcoming the opposition. They’ve basically booked their place in the next round already, making this game a pointless exercise. Their new manager isn’t really one for pointless exercises, however: there’s nothing he hates more than seeing players who get complacent. Don’t expect the Citizens to be allowed to slack off now that they seemingly have the job done.
Pep Guardiola is trying to blend a new approach in to this City squad, and he’s likely to use this game for that end. While they don’t need a win, it’s a good chance for him to push his players a little further tactically, while still demanding a high performance. City clearly won with ease in the first leg, and even if they think they are through, it’s hard to see them letting up here. We see more goals in this one, with City set to rack up a big win on their way in to the group draw. We’re backing the hosts on the -2 handicap, which is priced at decent odds of 29/20 with Coral.
Rostov v Ajax (19:45) – Ajax to win (6/4 with Betfair)
Ajax slipped up in their home leg, drawing 1-1 with Russian side Rostov. The Russian Premier League runners up have looked impressive in qualifying, but the Dutch side have a record of achieving impressive turnarounds. While Rostov will be glad of their away goal and draw in Amsterdam, Ajax are in a very familiar position. They drew at home to Greek side POAK in the last round, and that obviously worked out pretty well for them. They claimed a 2-1 win in Greece to make it through to the play-offs, and they’re capable of doing the same again.
The Dutch side are unbeaten since December away from home, and they won 3-1 at Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie opener. Rostov, meanwhile, have only played at home once in the Champions League. They drew 2-2 with Anderlecht before winning 2-0 away to the Belgians. With both sides stronger on the road, Rostov will be regretting the equaliser they conceded in Holland ahead of this one. The Dutch side should continue their strong away record, and we’re backing them to make the group stage by claiming a win here. Ajax are 6/4 with Betfair to claim a win in Russia.