It’s the return of Europe’s elite, who will take another step toward immortality? Who will take a further step away? It’s a permanent cauldron of excitement, heartache and passion – but it what we absolutely live for! It’s the UEFA Champions League!
2/9 Barcelona | Draw 6/1 | Shakhtar Donetsk 11/1 (18:45)
It’s a bit of a non-entity really, and I say that with the greatest degree of respect. Barcelona is playing incredibly well at the moment and will be a tough opponent at home, on a Wednesday evening, in the Champions League.
They win the game – but if you need a little more, back Barcelona + over 2.5 goals.
9/10 Feyenoord | Draw 28/10 | Lazio 28/10 (18:45)
Feyenoord are an exciting team to watch. They have an uncompromising approach to their game and show very little respect for their opponents during the 90 minutes. That stadium will be absolutely bouncing on Wednesday evening and I think they earn the three points.
7/10 Newcastle | Draw 3/1 | Dortmund 38/10 (21:00)
Dortmund continues to play this expansive brand of football, but they haven’t managed to get much from it. They are scoring goals but leaking them at the back also. Newcastle has the ability to take full advantage of that, and I think they will. They’ve won six from their last seven at St. James’ and for me that 7/10 is as inviting as it needs to be.
1/4 Leipzig | Draw 56/10 | Crvena Zvezda 9/1 (21:00)
It’s another miss match of a fixture to be fair, but I think we can take advantage of various other markets. Leipzig have adopted a rather aggressive approach to their recent games, they get out of the blocks early and look to take the game to their opponents. This is an opposition who will struggle to handle that sort of directness and so back the hosts to be winning in the first 10 minutes seems a shrewd option worth exploring!
13/1 Young Boys | Draw 6/1 | Manchester City 1/5 (21:00)
Here’s an interesting statistic for you. If you were to take over 3.5 goals for the past four group stage games involving these two sides – you would have won all of them! we know City have the squad to ensure this isn’t really a contest – but I think City and over 3.5 goals lands in a game where defensive prowess seems to be optional.
15/20 PSG | Draw 29/10 | Milan 34/10 (21:00)
This is a tough game to call. PSG will want to respond after their defeat to Newcastle. For me, it wasn’t that they lost, but more how they lost! Milan may not necessarily be the team they once were, but they aren’t going to roll over while visiting their French hosts.
I think this ends in a draw.
11/4 Celtic | Draw 24610 | Atletico 19/20 (21:00)
Atletico are playing some really impressive football lately. They are winning games, but also seemingly more adaptable to their environments and opponents. Somewhat uncharacteristically, they have seen seven of their last few games feature over 2.5 goals and so that might pique the interests of Celtic…
Nevertheless, back the home win.
5/2 Antwerp | Draw 51/20 | Porto 21/20 (21:00)
This is another tricky little game. Antwerp will be tough to play at home only because they seem to up for every little battle, every physical experience and intent on winning the ‘who wants it more’ challenges.
Porto have the players to win, but which Porto shows up? I’m going to go for the draw.
Written by Ryan Liberty
@Mr_R_Liberty