the international action is done and dusted for a little while and the champions league is back. as we approach the midway point of the group phase, the standings are taking shape and we will soon have a clearer idea of who will make the champions league last 16.
this week we have two england v italy clashes and after these games we should have a much better idea of the relative strengths of the premier league and serie a. spurs face a tough trip to real madrid but will fancy their chances and united travel to benfica, where former porto boss jose mourinho can be assured of a hostile reception.
read on for betting tips, predictions and the odds on the key markets. if you like our picks be sure to check out our odds comparison to get the best prices with the least fuss. of course, our odds comparison will also quickly help you get the best betting odds on all your bets so, follow our tips or not, but don’t miss out on the best prices around.
city sit top of group f with two wins from two. they have scored six and conceded none but napoli will provide a huge test. the italian side surprisingly lost at shakhtar donetsk but will still be confident of qualifying for the next phase.
city are big favourites at the etihad, priced at best betting odds of 3/5 with bet365. that compares to the draw at 7/2 with william hill and big odds of 9/2 (sportingbet) for an away win.
we predict that some european football betting experts may be tempted by that price on partenopei. napoli have been going great guns in serie a and, prior to their huge weekend clash with roma they have won seven from seven to sit top of the pile.
they have been scoring freely, with 25 goals from those seven domestic clashes and four in their two champions league games. of course, city are no slouch in front of goal either. this game may come too soon for sergio aguero but city still have a wealth of attacking options.
they have registered 22 goals in their seven league games and also put four past feyenoord and two past shakhtar. all in all we think this will be a real thriller and whilst the citizens’ defence has been superb this year, napoli, with dries mertens and co full of confidence, should have enough to score at least once.
backing over 3.5 goals is a tempting option but our betting tip here is city to win and both teams to score. that’s available at 17/10 with betway and those odds represent real value.
real have been uncharacteristically shaky on home soil this term and prior to their weekend clash with getafe they are down in fifth in la liga as a result. they have drawn with valencia and levante and lost to real betis. for a club who are usually unstoppable at home, that is hugely surprising and a win here is vital.
real madrid are at short odds of 2/5 (ladbrokes) to get the win here. they beat apoel 3-0 at home in the champions league and sit top of group h having also won 3-1 at dortmund.
given their pedigree generally and in the champions league particularly, we think 2/5 is a decent price. spurs are available at 29/4 with sportingbet but despite their fine away record we think they will be outclassed here. get on the home win but increase your payout but opting for real/real in the ht/ft betting at best odds of 11/10 with coral.
manchester united travel to benfica in a repeat of the 1968 european cup final. united won 4-1 that day – after extra time – and the oddsmakers have them as favourites for the win again here.
united can be backed at best betting odds of 17/20 with sportingbet. we fancy they will win but that looks a shade short overall. benfica are available at 15/4 with bet365 and the draw is 11/4 with william hill.
we don’t see too much value in those match odds so the safer bet here in our eyes is to back goals. we predict an open and entertaining clash here and benfica have already leaked seven goals in their two champions league clashes.
with both sides averaging four goals per game in group a, albeit with reverse 7-1/1-7 goal records, we think over 3.5 is the way to go here. that can be backed at nice betting odds of 12/5 with unibet and looks good to us.
our final game is another premier league high flyer hosting a top italian side and again we fancy the english club to come out on top. the bookies do too, with chelsea, fourth in the premier league, priced at best odds of 4/6 with coral. the draw is 3/1 with hills and the visitors are 19/4 with bet365.
roma are fifth in serie a ahead of the weekend clashes but have won six and drawn one of their last seven in all competitions. with this group also featuring atletico madrid, there is little room for error. both sides have beaten qarabag but whilst the blues managed a win at atleti, roma drew with the spanish side at home.
on balance we have to favour antonio conte’s men but we predict a close game. 2-1 may be worth a bet at odds of 7/1 with most bookies but for our tip we’ll play it a little safer. back chelsea to win by exactly one goal at 13/5 with boylesports, a result which will see them take control of group c.