The groups in the UEFA Champions League are starting to take shape as matchday four is upon us already. Things are going great for the English clubs at present as Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur all sit top of their groups.
It’s also starting to heat up in the UEFA Europa League. Arsenal sit top of their group, while Everton are rock bottom of theirs. We should be in for another fascinating week of European action and we could see some of the clubs book their spots in the next round.
- Celtic v Bayern Munich – Bayern Munich to Win 3-0 (9/1 at Coral)
- Manchester United v Benfica – Manchester United to Win -2 (11/4 at Betfair)
- Roma v Chelsea – Draw and Both Teams to Score (16/5 at Ladbrokes)
- Liverpool v Maribor – Liverpool to Win -3 (5/6 at Betfair)
- Napoli v Manchester City – Manchester City to Win (29/20 at Betfred)
- Tottenham Hotspur v Real Madrid – 1-1 Draw (7/1 at Betfair)
- Lyon v Everton – Lyon to Win -1 (15/8 at Betfair)
- Arsenal v Red Star Belgrade – Arsenal to Win 3-0 (9/1 at Betfair)
Champions League
Things could not be going much better for the English clubs at present. The two Manchester sides have taken nine points out of nine, and the pair will all but book their passages through to the next round with wins in the week. Meanwhile, Tottenham and Chelsea, who are both in very tough groups, also lead the way. Liverpool won 7-0 last time out to fire themselves to joint top of Group E and things are looking good for the Premier League big guns.
Celtic v Bayern Munich – 31st October
Celtic are the only British team not to be top of their respective group, but they do share Group B with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. On Tuesday, Brendan Rodgers’ side welcome Jupp Heynckes’ Bayern to Celtic Park.
The Bhoys have taken three points from nine, losing to PSG and Munich, but beating Anderlecht 3-0 away from home. As for the German champions, they have picked up six points from a possible nine and will want to give themselves a shot at overhauling PSG to top the group.
In reality, this should be an easy victory for FC Hollywood. After seeing off the Hoops 3-0 in the Allianz Arena in the reverse match, back another 3-0 Bayern victory at 9/1 with Coral.
Bayern Munich to Win 3-0 – 9/1 at Coral
Manchester United v Benfica – 31st October
Man Utd have been in superb form in Europe this term, and a victory on Tuesday will put them in a great position to qualify for the last 16. Jose Mourinho’s troops entertain Rui Vitoria’s Benfica at Old Trafford.
On their way to nine points from a possible nine, United have netted eight and shipped just one. As for the Portuguese outfit, they have had a tournament to forget so far, losing all three games and letting in eight goals.
The Red Devils won in Lisbon a fortnight ago, and they should have no problems easing past Benfica in Manchester on Tuesday, too. Man Utd to win -2 is nicely priced at 11/4 and that’s our pick as we expect United to be more expansive than they were in Portugal.
Manchester United to Win -2 – 11/4 at Betfair
Roma v Chelsea – 31st October
Roma and Chelsea played out a thriller at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, let’s hope for more of the same between the two in the Italian capital on Tuesday.
Antonio Conte’s side find themselves two points above Roma in the Group C table. More importantly, though, the Blues are five points clear of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Chelsea will take a giant leap towards the knockout stages if they can take all three points in Rome, although even a draw would leave them looking strong.
Having drawn 3-3 in a blockbuster battle in London recently, we fancy the two to play out another draw with both teams to scoring again, which you can get at the top price of 16/5 with Ladbrokes.
Draw and Both Teams to Score – 16/5 at Ladbrokes
Liverpool v Maribor – 1st November
Liverpool thumped Maribor 7-0 in Slovenia when the two teams met for the first time ever a couple of weeks back. The Reds, who are joint top of Group E with Spartak Moscow, will be eyeing up another big victory over the Slovenian PrvaLiga outfit on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s team were at their scintillating best in Maribor, something we have not seen often enough this season. After drawing their opening two, those three points were vital in the Ljudski vrt.
Liverpool have enough in them to seal another sizeable victory over the minnows on Wednesday. Have a punt on the home team to win -3 (5/6 at Betfair) at Anfield, with the atmosphere sure to be electric.
Liverpool to Win -3 – 5/6 at Betfair
Napoli v Manchester City – 1st November
Napoli and Man City meet at the Stadio San Paolo for a tasty-looking game in Naples on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola’s men have been on fire this season, and they head to Italy as favourites to secure yet another win.
City have looked the real deal in the Champions League and Premier League so far. The Citizens have won all three of their European fixtures, scoring eight and conceding one.
Napoli will no doubt be tough opponents, especially on their own patch, but we fancy the PL leaders to seal another narrow victory against the Italian side on Wednesday. Back the visitors to prevail at 29/20 (Betfred).
Manchester City to Win – 29/20 at Betfred
Tottenham Hotspur v Real Madrid – 1st November
Tottenham gave a terrific account of themselves in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last time out in Europe, holding the Spanish giants to a 1-1 draw in Madrid. The pair do battle again on Wednesday, this time at Wembley Stadium.
Putting Wednesday’s strange EFL Cup defeat to West Ham United to one side, Spurs have been in great shape in recent weeks. After a slow start, Real Madrid are beginning to hit their stride, winning four in a row in La Liga.
This promises to be another thrilling encounter, and we’re having a hard time splitting the pair. Therefore, check out Betfair’s big price of 7/1 for another 1-1 draw on Wednesday, a result that would give Spurs a great chance of topping the group.
1-1 Draw – 7/1 at Betfair
Europa League
Arsenal and Everton have had mixed fortunes in the Europa League so far. The Gunners have a 100% record in Group H, beating Cologne, BATE Borisov and Red Star Belgrade to take nine points out of nine. In contrast, the Toffees have picked up just one point from three games in Group E. Everton, who are under the caretaker management of David Unsworth, face Lyon in a must-win game on Thursday.
Lyon v Everton – 2nd November
It’s been a turbulent last week or so for Everton, who lost to Arsenal in the league on Sunday, sacked Ronald Koeman on Monday and lost to Chelsea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. Next Thursday, the Toffees look to keep their Europa League dreams alive when they travel to France to play Lyon. Before then they travel to Leicester in the Premier League so they are sure to feeling a little fatigued right now.
Bruno Genesio’s side beat Everton at Goodison Park a fortnight ago to move four points clear of the Premier League outfit in the Group E table. However, they sit second, two points behind Atalanta.
This is a must-win game for Everton, but we believe that they will struggle in France. Lyon were superb in Merseyside, and there’s good value in Betfair’s 15/8 for the hosts to win -1.
Lyon to Win -1 – 15/8 at Betfair
Arsenal v Red Star Belgrade – 2nd November
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal have enjoyed their time in the Europa League so far, picking up nine points out of nine along the way. On Thursday, the Gunners host Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates and will fully expect to claim another three points.
Arsenal are five points clear of BATE and Red Star in the Group H table already. Three points on home soil on Thursday will see them advance through to the last 32. Olivier Giroud’s stunning late goal was enough to give the Londoners maximum points when they squared off in Serbia.
Arsenal should win this one with real ease, and we’re being drawn to Betfair’s 9/1 for the hosts to beat Belgrade 3-0 at the Emirates.
Arsenal to Win 3-0 – 9/1 at Betfair