This week sees the final round of fixtures in the group stages of both the Champions League and Europa League. For some teams this week represents the chance to put their feet up having already secured their place in the knockout stages. Others, meanwhile, have one of the most hectic nights of their season ahead of them.
The five Premier League sides in the Champions League have either already qualified or need a massive swing to miss out while Celtic must get a result against Anderlecht to book their place in the Europa League. There’s nothing for the English teams to play for in the Europa League though with Arsenal through and Everton out.
Whatever individual games have riding on them, there is great potential for profit on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We’ve tried to maximise this by rooting out the best bets for you below.
- Bayern Munich v PSG – PSG to Win (13/8 with Betfair)
- Celtic v Anderlecht – Celtic to Win and Both Teams to Score (23/10)
- Chelsea v Atletico Madrid – Chelsea to Win (11/10 with Betfred)
- Liverpool v Spartak Moscow – Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score (17/10 with Ladbrokes)
- Shakhtar Donetsk v Man City – Man City to Win (2/1 with Betfred)
- Atalanta v Lyon – Atalanta to Win (7/5 with Bet365)
- Zorya v Athletic Bilbao – Athletic Bilbao to Win and Both Teams to Score (16/5 with Ladbrokes)
Champions League
The group stages of the Champions League have often been criticised for being little more than a progression for the biggest, richest clubs. This year’s competition, however, has been anything but boring. Besiktas upset the odds to win Group G, Atletico Madrid are set to slip into the Europa League and Tottenham have bested both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. Matchday six will hopefully provide plenty more drama all over the continent.
Bayern Munich v PSG – 5th December
Carlo Ancelotti paid the price for Bayern Munich’s slow start to the season. The Italian’s position became untenable after Bayern lost 3-0 to PSG in Paris but the Bundesliga giants may be about to suffer a similar fate in the return game.
The Bayern players were delighted that Jupp Heynckes replaced Ancelotti but the fans were a little more wary about the 72-year-old’s appointment. Although results have improved, Bayern still look way below their best in the Champions League. Unai Emery may decide to rest some of his biggest stars for Tuesday’s game but the hunger from those on the fringes to force their way into his plans should be enough for the Parisians to end the group stage with a perfect six wins.
PSG to Win – 13/8 with Betfair
Celtic v Anderlecht – 5th December
Celtic have had some very tough nights in their Champions League campaign. They were humbled in all four games against PSG and Bayern Munich but Brendan Rodgers’ side turned it on when it mattered by beating Anderlecht in Belgium.
Celtic and Anderlecht were always going to be battling it out for third place and the chance to play in the Europa League. The Bhoys’ 3-0 win at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium means it will take a huge performance from Anderlecht to keep their European dreams alive. They should approach the game with the same positive outlook they took to their previous clashes but Celtic’s desire to get over the line will see them through. That makes the home side look good value to win a game in which both teams score at 23/10 with Ladbrokes.
Celtic to Win and Both Teams to Score – 23/10 with Ladbrokes
Chelsea v Atletico Madrid – 5th December
When Chelsea came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid it seemed as though they’d found the springboard to put their sluggish start to the season firmly in the rear view mirror. Unfortunately for Antonio Conte’s men, they’ve been far from consistent since the win at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The Blues have at least managed to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League no matter what happens on Tuesday night. As for Atletico, they’ll have to hope that Qarabag somehow manage to overturn the odds and beat Roma in the Stadio Olimpico.
If Roma take a commanding early lead in Rome, the fight could quickly leave the Atletico Madrid players and allow Chelsea to complete a fairly comfortable win at 11/10 with Betfred.
Chelsea to Win – 11/10 with Betfred
Liverpool v Spartak Moscow – 6th December
If Liverpool were only able to hold on to beat Sevilla after going 3-0 up they would already be assured their place in the last 16. As it is, there is little chance of Liverpool missing out and yet given the porous state of their defence this season you could forgive the Anfield faithful for being a little nervous when they take their seats.
Spartak Moscow were actually almost as upset as Liverpool that Sevilla managed to claw their way back for a point in Matchday five. The gap between the Russians and Sevilla is now two points meaning they now have to get a win at Anfield to have any chance of staying in the Champions League come the New Year.
Liverpool are the overwhelming favourites to get the win on Wednesday night but they could only draw with Spartak when they met in Moscow earlier on in the competition. The away side have nothing to lose and everything to gain so expect them to go on the offensive from the start. While Liverpool’s quality in attacking positions should see them through with a win, don’t be surprised if they do so with both teams scoring at a generous 17/10 with Ladbrokes.
Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score – 17/10 with Ladbrokes
Shakhtar Donetsk v Man City – 6th December
Man City have already won Group F ahead of their trip to Ukraine to take on Shakhtar Donetsk. As things stand, Shakhtar need only a point against Pep Guardiola’s men to see off the challenge of Napoli and join City in the next stage.
Unfortunately, Man City are playing some of the best football in Europe this season. You’ll not often see Guardiola’s men at 2/1 to win so we’d suggest taking advantage while you can.
There’s every chance that Man City will field a number of fringe players for the match but such is the quality of their squad and the desire for those fringe players to impress that the Citizens could well end the group stage with yet another win.
Man City to Win – 2/1 with Betfred
Europa League
Every team in the Europa League would prefer to be competing against the elite of European football. But when it comes to this stage, as the slog of the group phase is about to finish, teams and managers start thinking about going on to win the whole thing. With a place in the Champions League up for grabs, expect sides to go all out to win their groups so as to get a better route when the knockout rounds are drawn early in 2018.
Atalanta v Lyon – 7th December
Both Atalanta and Lyon have already secured their safe passage out of Group E. They were far too strong for both Apollon Limassol and Everton and their final game of the group stage is a shootout to decide who tops Group E.
The bookies are finding it a little tough to separate the two teams but Atlanta’s home advantage makes them the narrow favourites at 7/5 with Bet365. That looks a fair assumption for a team who have lost just once at home all season and who were good enough for a 1-1 draw when these two met in France.
Atalanta to Win – 7/5 with Bet365
Zorya v Athletic Bilbao – 7th December
After five tough games and countless miles travelling around Europe, it all comes down to one match for Zorya and Athletic Bilbao. The Liga side have a two point lead but that means a win at home will be enough for Zorya.
Zorya’s main problem in the Europa League has been a lack of goals. They’ve found the net just three times but they’ll surely grab a goal in this must win game. Will they do enough to avoid defeat though? It’s unlikely so back Bilbao to win and both teams to score at 16/5 with Ladbrokes.
Athletic Bilbao to Win and Both Teams to Score – 16/5 with Ladbrokes