Champion’s League Group Betting –Part 2
Following our article on Monday which looked at Groups A-D, we’re going to be looking at the remainder of the groups and assessing the chances of the teams in them.
GROUP E
This has thrown up another “Battle of Britain” tie with Manchester United having to face SPL champions Celtic. Both teams met in the group stages of the competition two years ago with both sides claiming one win apiece. This looks like a group where teams will take points off each other and it could end up being tight.
Villareal will be tough opponents especially at home and Danish outfit Aalborg could also take points at home. Manchester United look as if they will be the most likely group winners with Villareal and Celtic fighting it out for second place.
Current Group Betting:
Manchester United 2/5 (VCBet)
Villareal 7/2 (Totesport)
Celtic 12/1 (Ladbrokes)
Aalborg 66/1 (Coral)
We think Manchester United will win the group, but we think Celtic look overpriced given their recent form in the competition and could be value if you’re willing to take a chance.
GROUP F
This looks as if it could be a close group with all four teams in with a realistic chance of being group winners. Bayern Munich have a host of star names in their line-up and will be seen by many to be hot favourites to win the group. They do have the credentials to do well in the competition, but Lyon, Fiorentina and Steau Bucharest are no pushovers and they can’t afford any slip ups.
Fiorentina reached the semi-finals of last years UEFA Cup before being beaten by Glasgow Rangers. They are solid defensively and with Adrian Mutu up front are capable of scoring goals. They’re a good solid side and could prove troublesome to Lyon and Bayern at home.
Lyon have never been beyond the quarter final stages in the competition, but always seem to do well in the group stages. Beaten by Man Utd in the competition last season they have enough talent to win this group.
Steau Bucharest reached two European cup finals back in the eighties and while they haven’t done a lot since, they seem to be on the way back. The other teams in the group won’t be relishing the trip to Romania and if they can win their home games-which seems possible- they will be in the mix.
Current Group Betting:
Bayern 5/4 (Paddypower)
Lyon 7/4 (Ladbrokes)
Fiorentina 18/5 (Betfair)
Steau 16/1 (Bet365)
We wouldn’t put anyone off backing any of the teams in this group, but we think Lyon could be the ones to be on.
GROUP G
This group looks to be between Arsenal and Porto. Porto won the competition backing 2004 and have been consistent qualifiers from the group stages. Arsenal are more than capable of beating anyone on their day and while trips to Porto, Fenerbahce and Kiev hold dangers three victories at the Emirates should see them through.
Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev are decent sides, but they don’t have the class of Arsenal or Porto and it would be a surprise to see them qualify from the group.
Current Group Betting:
Arsenal 3/5 (Partybets)
Porto 7/2 (Skybet)
Fenerbahce 7/1 (Partybets)
Kiev 8/1 (Coral)
Our selection is Arsenal.
GROUP H
This looks the toughest group of all to pick a winner from. Real Madrid,Zenit St Petersburg and Juventus could all be considered as possible winners of the tournament, so to find a group winner is almost impossible. The only thing that is certain about this group is that Belarusian side BATE will be the whipping boys of the group.
Zenit St Petersburg have already shown by winning the UEFA Cup and beating Manchester United in the Super Cup that they have the quality to compete against the best and they will be awkward opponents. Real were beaten by Roma in last years competition and they won’t be relishing meeting Italian opposition in the form of Juventus, who are trying to re-establish themselves as a top European side after their demotion to Serie B following a bribes scandal.
Current Group Betting:
Real Madrid 8/11 (VCBet)
Juventus 2/1 (Skybet)
Zenit 4/1 (Paddypower)
BATE 100/1 (Partybets)
Hard to call, but we’re taking Juventus to just shade it.