Champions League / Europa League Matches
Our betting selections today come from tonight’s Champions League matches and the Europa League fixtures taking place tomorrow (Thursday).
Champions League
After their surprise loss away to Wigan Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways in Cyprus against APOEL Nicosia. There’s not too much value in backing Chelsea at 2/7 (Ladbrokes) and with APOEL a whopping 12/1 (Skybet) it does appear on paper anyway that this will be a stroll for Chelsea.
We think this game will be a whole lot closer than the betting indicates as APOEL were well worth a draw in their opening match away at Atletico Madrid. It’s true Atletico aren’t the force they once were but it was still a very good result and if Chelsea are below their best they could find themselves in big trouble tonight, especially when you consider the Cypriot Champions haven’t lost a home game for over a year.
One bet we do like here is the half time result of a draw 7/4 (Coral). We are going to take a bit of a punt and go for a draw in this game at odds of 9/2 (Skybet). A 1-1 correct score bet at 17/2 (Bet365) and a bet on Sikora 20/1 (Ladbrokes) to be first goalscorer and 6/1 (Skybet) to score anytime are also worth considering.
Manchester United will find Wolfsburg difficult opponents in their home tie tonight. The Germans are always capable of scoring away from home and while we do think United will win it will be close.
A bet on both teams to score 11/10 (Skybet) should bring some winnings and the over 2.5 goals 8/13 (Paddypower) looks a good bet too.
Our prediction is a win for United at 7/19 (Coral) with a 2-1 scoreline 8/1 (Ladbrokes).The first goalscorer bet we’re selecting is Ryan Giggs 10/1 (Coral).
Europa League
Celtic need to go chasing a win after losing their first game in Israel and they could be playing into the hands of their opponents Raid Vienna if they go on the all out attack. Rapid beat group favourites Hamburg 3-0 in their first match after adopting counter attacking tactics and these could work to great effect in Glasgow too.
Bets we think could bring us some winnings in this match include the over 2.5 goals 8/11 (Skybet) the both teams to score bet also at 8/11(Skybet).
Our prediction is a win for Celtic 4/7 (Ladbrokes) and we’re going for a 3-2 correct score 33/1 (Coral). Our first goalscorer selection is Gergios Samaras 5/1 (Skybet).
Fulham can leap to the top of their group if they beat Basel at Craven Cottage. The Swiss side had a tremendous 2-0 home win against Roma in their opening group match and will come into the game full of confidence. They do have to overcome a pretty abysmal away record that has seen them go eight European ties without a win.
Basel are 10/3 (Paddypower) to get a win with a draw available at 5/2 (Ladbrokes). There might not be too mush to separate these two teams but we’re going to go with a home win.
Our prediction is Fulham to win 5/6 (Skybet) by 1-0 13/2 (Skybet). We think Danny Murphy 12/1 (Ladbrokes) could pop up with the vital goal.
BATE Borisov had a decent Champions League campaign last season and Everton won’t get things all their own way in this match. Everton haven’t managed a win in their last three away European games and that makes the 4/7 (Coral) on offer for an away win look a bit too short. BATE are no great shakes at home either and although 5/1 (Paddypower) isn’t a bad price about a home win we have doubts about that result too.
We’re tipping this game to end in a draw 3/1 (Bet365) our prediction is a 0-0 result 12/1 (Bet365).