The penultimate round of group stage clashes serves up a few mouth-watering contests. Chelsea make the trip to Sevilla to decide who will top Group E, while Manchester United and PSG close off the round of matches.
The Parisians will travel with all their superstar players, compared to the previous meeting, which suggests we’re in for an intriguing matchup.
Many clubs have qualified for the next stage, leaving the rest of the clubs to fight it out in matchdays Five & Six. We have a great preview with valuable tips that you should be climbing on. Let’s get to it.
Wednesday 2 December
Group E
Krasnodar 16/10
Draw 23/10
Rennes 16/10
(19:55)
Krasnodar and Rennes will battle it out for third position after both Chelsea and Sevilla secured qualification to the next round. Both sides have one point from their opening day clash which saw them share the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate. Steven Nzonzi provides experience next to the exuberant 18-year-old, Eduardo Camavinga in the heart of Rennes’ midfield. While Serhou Guirassy and Jeremy Doku are constant threats in attack with lightening quick pace. It’s Rennes first season in the UEFA Champions League which is a huge achievement but Julien Stephan’s team will now have their sights set on their first win in this competition that will beat Krasnodar to Europa League football. Following their most recent display against Chelsea, my money is on Rennes at decent odds of 16/10.
Sevilla 7/4
Draw 23/10
Chelsea 29/20
(22:00)
Sevilla and Chelsea have both qualified for the knockout stages with two games left to play. Clubs want to qualify for this competition to play against the best, however, their objective of reaching the next stage of the competition has been reached. This seems like a dead rubber with either team not making top spot in Group E, in order to get a favourable draw in the Round of 16 their top priority. Sevilla come into the clash with five wins on the bounce and Los Palanganas will surely have one eye on their La Liga fixture this weekend when they host the champions Real Madrid, who Sevilla will leapfrog in the La Liga standings with a positive result. Chelsea’s six game winning streak was halted as the Blues played out to a goalless draw against Tottenham last Sunday. Frank Lampard’s squad has immense quality, depth and potential, the ability to use five substitutes definitely plays into their favour. Because of the way Sevilla set up and Chelsea’s recent improvements along their back line, I fancy both teams to go into the half time interval level. Draw in the Half Time market at 23/20 is my play.
Group F
Borussia Dortmund 6/10
Draw 32/10
Lazio 15/4
(22:00)
Since tasting defeat to Lazio (3-1) in the opening round, Borussia Dortmund have gone on to claim maximum points in three straight UEFA Champions League matches without conceding, that has the Yellow and Blacks sitting on top of Group F. Erling Haaland has scored in every Champions League game this season, the Norwegian striker is priced up at 6/10 in the Anytime Goalscorer market that is well worth a punt. The Germans will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing ground on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga standings following their disappointing defeat to Cologne last Saturday. Lazio travel to Signal Iduna Park after also suffering a setback in Serie A, losing to Udinese (3-1). Lazio struggled to pick up points on the road, sharing the spoils at Club Brugge (1-1) and Zenit St. Petersburg (1-1) which doesn’t bode well for their chances. Ciro Immobile returns to his old home but Haaland and company are expected to snatch the win. Back Dortmund on the (-1) Handicap at 29/20.
Club Brugge 23/20
Draw 49/20
Zenit St. Petersburg 22/10
(22:00)
Club Brugge are three points higher than Zenit St. Petersburg who are rock bottom in Group F. The Blue and Blacks earned their three points advantage by defeating Zenit on the opening day thanks to a stoppage time winner by 19-year-old midfielder Charles De Ketelaere. Zenit have lost four of their last five games in this competition as well as failing to win their last seven matches on the road. I’d personally pass on this game, but if we had to choose a winner, I’ll be leaning towards Club Brugge.
Group G
Ferencvaros 9/2
Draw 34/10
Barcelona 5/10
(22:00)
Hungarian champions Ferencvaros have lost three of their four matches in Group G and only have a single point from their draw with Dynamo Kiev. The hosts are not expected to reach the knockout stages. Thus far, the positive they take going into this clash is that they’ve scored in every UEFA Champions League match. Barcelona have qualified with ease; a perfect record was extended in the Catalans 4-0 victory in Kiev last week. Lionel Messi hasn’t travelled with the team and has been given time to rest and recuperate ahead of the crucial December schedule. Barca have enough quality with exciting youngster Pedri hoping to score against Ferencvaros again. Instead of picking Barca to win at 5/10, take Over 2.5 Goals at 11/20.
Juventus 2/9
Draw 47/10
Dynamo Kiev 10/1
(22:00)
Cristiano Ronaldo should return to the Juventus team after being left out last weekend for the disappointing 1-1 draw at Benevento. Coach Andrea Pirlo explained in his post-match press conference that it was agreed earlier in the season, that Ronaldo will be rested against certain opponents. Dynamo Kiev come off back-to-back defeats to Barcelona and haven’t showed any signs that they’re capable of upsetting the Old Lady in this encounter. My tip is Cristiano Ronaldo in the Anytime Goalscorer market at 6/10 odds.
Group H
Istanbul Basaksehir 11/2
Draw 38/10
RB Leipzig 4/10
(19:55)
Istanbul Basaksehir have just three points from their victory over Manchester United, while losing their other three Group H ties. The Turkish champions trail RB Leipzig by three points and need to claim maximum points in order to continue their European journey in the UEFA Europa League. RB Leipzig have a season defining week ahead of them. The Red Bulls need to secure all three points in this encounter, to put themselves in contention to make the Round of 16 at the expense of either Man United or PSG, who they face next Tuesday. Julian Nagelsmann’s troops go toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this weekend. Over 2.5 Goals should be considered a banker at 5/10.
Manchester United 18/10
Draw 49/20
Paris Saint-Germain 27/20
(22:00)
Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat suffered in France when they travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday night in the headline fixture of this round. This time Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Marco Verratti are all fully fit. Manchester United are surely going to start Edinson Cavani against his former club, after the Uruguayan striker pulled United from 2-0 down, to win the contest 3-2 by providing an assist and scoring two goals against Southampton. Bruno Fernandes and Donny Van De Beek have added creativity to the Red Devils midfield that has been lacking for many seasons. If Verratti starts behind Angel Di Maria, Neymar and Mbappe, my money will be on PSG.
WEDNESDAY’S TREBLE @ 12/1
Rennes Win 16/10
Chelsea vs Sevilla: Half Time – Draw 23/20
Borussia Dortmund (-1) Handicap 29/20
Written by Bryan Naicker