Our football analyst previews the thrilling UEFA Champions League week six action kicking off Tuesday 5 December 2017.
We’re at the nail-biting final matchday of the UEFA Champions League, with clubs vying to secure top spots ahead of the draw on Monday 11 December. Big names like Barcelona, Manchester City, Besiktas and Tottenham are already group leaders, but the competition remains fierce with giants battling for runners-up places. No easy games await in the knockout rounds. Let’s dive into the groups one last time and spot the winning bets you don’t want to miss!
Tuesday 5 December
Group A
Manchester United 7/20 | Draw 37/10 | CSKA Moscow 7/1
The Red Devils aim to clinch top spot by hosting CSKA Moscow. United stand comfortably three points ahead and can even afford a heavy loss to progress. With CSKA winless in five clashes, a draw seals top spot. Expect a tight game, possibly with United keeping a clean sheet. Consider the Home Win to Nil at even money.
Benfica 19/10 | Draw 24/10 | Basel 27/20
Basel visit Benfica chasing qualification. Basel are second with equal points to CSKA and will advance by outperforming them. Benfica’s form has been disappointing, losing all five games. Back Basel on Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at 12/10 for added value.
Group B
Celtic 8/10 | Draw 28/10 | Anderlecht 29/10
Third place battle heats up with Anderlecht needing a three-goal win to leapfrog Celtic. Last meeting ended 3-0 to Celtic, who look set to secure Europa League qualification. Back the home win at 8/10.
Bayern Munich 29/20 | Draw 26/10 | Paris Saint-Germain 16/10
Bayern face PSG in a blockbuster clash. PSG took the reverse fixture 3-0, so Bayern must win by four goals for top spot. A Bayern win seems likely but not by four goals. The (-1) Handicap on Bayern at 34/10 offers great value.
Group C
Roma 1/11 | Draw 8/1 | Qarabag 23/1
Roma look to seal qualification by beating Qarabag. A defeat might still work if Atletico Madrid falters. Qarabag sit bottom and unlikely to cause an upset. Roma on the (-1) Handicap at 3/10 is a safe pick.
Chelsea 1/1| Draw 49/20 | Atletico Madrid 5/2
Chelsea have already qualified and fight for top spot. Atletico need a win and hope Roma slips. With the festive season upon them, Chelsea may rest players; Atletico’s away form improved but a draw looks probable. I back the draw at 49/20.
Group D
Olympiacos 11/1 | Draw 47/10 | Juventus 2/9
Olympiacos host Juventus for their last European game this season. Juventus must win or rely on Sporting Lisbon’s result due to superior head-to-heads. No great value on Juventus’s straight win, so back the (-1) Handicap at 6/10.
Barcelona 3/10 | Draw 9/2 | Sporting 7/1
Group winners Barcelona play Sporting Lisbon, who need maximum points for qualification. Barcelona are already through and might rest key players. Expect goals from both sides. Both Teams to Score at 8/10 is a smart bet.
Wednesday 6 December
Group E
Maribor 14/1 | Draw 57/10 | Sevilla 1/6
Maribor will play for pride against Sevilla, who need at least a draw or favorable results elsewhere to progress. Sevilla won the reverse tie 3-0. Back the visitors on (-1) Handicap at 5/10.
Liverpool 1/4 | Draw 5/1 | Spartak Moscow 17/2
Liverpool lead Group E but must avoid another slip-up after a recent draw. Spartak need a win to qualify or Europa League spot. Matches with Liverpool always deliver goals. Back Over 2.5 Goals at 4/10.
Group F
Shakhtar Donetsk 13/10 | Draw 24/10 | Manchester City 39/20
Surprisingly, Man City are underdogs despite topping the group. Shakhtar must avoid defeat to advance with City. Napoli’s result also impacts qualification. City’s firepower is tempting for a straight win bet. Back Man City to win.
Feyenoord 8/1 | Draw 47/10 | Napoli 3/10
Napoli need a win and some assistance to qualify. Feyenoord are out of contention. Napoli won their last match 3-1. Half-Time/Full-Time Napoli at 13/20 is strong value.
Group G
Leipzig 3/10 | Draw 17/4 | Besiktas 8/1
Leipzig host group winners Besiktas with maximum points in sight. Besiktas have already qualified and could cause an upset despite a recent 2-0 loss to Leipzig. Besiktas at 8/1 is an interesting punt.
Porto 7/20 | Draw 17/4 | Monaco 13/2
Porto aim to secure qualification against struggling Monaco. A win or draw on points due to head-to-head will see Porto through. Monaco poor form is a worry. Back Porto, and for odds try Under 2.5 Goals at 5/4.
Group H
Real Madrid 9/20 | Draw 38/10 | Borussia Dortmund 5/1
Real Madrid have qualified but face a tough task from Dortmund, fighting for third place. Dortmund would like revenge after a 3-1 loss earlier. Madrid may rest players. Backing Dortmund at 5/1 looks tempting.
Tottenham 1/5 | Draw 6/1 | APOEL Nicosia 10/1
Tottenham, group winners, look to finish strong against APOEL. APOEL need a good result to reach Europa League. Spurs might rest players during this busy period. The draw at 6/1 offers solid value.
Tuesday TREBLE @ 128.4/10
- Bayern Munich (-1) Handicap 34/10
- Juventus (-1) Handicap 6/10
- Barcelona vs Sporting BTTS 8/10
Wednesday TREBLE @ 1957.10/10
- Manchester City Win 39/20
- Besiktas Win 8/1
- Tottenham vs APOEL Draw 6/1
