With just two matches left for the sides to play in the group stages of the 2015/16 Champions League competition there are those that have and those that have not. A number of sides are already securely into the knockout stages, while some are still clinging onto the hope of progression and avoiding the Europa League or elimination. We take a look at some of the biggest teams in action around Europe, with some vying for top spot in their group and others hanging in there, with online sportsbook Betfair.com to provide our best Champions League picks.
Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb: 1.22 – 6.00 – 12.00
This Group F clash is a must win game for both of these sides as they have collected just three points in their four games so far, having won one and lost three, and with both sitting six points behind the top pair of Bayern Munich and Olympiakos they will know that victory in this match tonight in North London will, if results go their way in the other match, will see them in with a chance of second place and progression. The home side are the massive favourites to win this match having defeated Bayern Munich here, but the only victory for Dinamo in the group stage so far came against The Gunners so can the Croatians once again upset the odds?
The biggest problem that the home side have for this match is the massive number of injuries that they have, with long term absentees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott joined by Francis Coquelin after injury at the weekend. However, there is a slight piece of positive news as Aaron Ramsey returned to training on Monday and may take part in the match. Unfortunately for the host team at The Emirates they do not bring the best of form into this match as they have won just one of the last four in all competitions, including losing 3-0 to Sheffield Wednesday, 5-1 to Bayern Munich and 2-1 at West Brom this weekend. All of these games came on the road however and they lost just two matches on home soil this season as West Ham won in the EPL and Olympiakos also upset the odds here in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich were seen off 2-0 as were Manchester United and Everton in the league, and with Zagreb having lost four of seven away games we ultimately feel that Arsene Wenger’s men deserve to be such heavy favourites, especially with what’s at stake for the victor. However, there are goals in both of these two teams and we can see goals in this game so we’re backing this along with the home win.
Back Arsenal to beat Dinamo Zagreb and +2.5 goals in the match @ 1.57 with Betfair.
Barcelona v Roma: 1.25 – 5.80 – 9.50
This meeting of the Spaniards and the Italians at the Camp Nou sees the match more important for Roma as they sit second five points behind the La Primera Liga leaders knowing that victory could see them book their place in the last 16 with their hosts tonight assuming that BATE Borisov get at least a point at home to Bayer Leverkusen. However, after Barcelona took Real Madrid apart in a 4-0 thumping in the Spanish capital city and the end result was not even the best part of the match for them.
This El Clasico at the Bernabeu saw the return of Lionel Messi for the first time since September 26th after the Argentine player suffered a knee injury and even though strikers Luis Suarez and Neymar have been banging the goals in for the club they will boosted by having the man that has scored 77 Champions League goals in 100 appearances back in the squad. They too will need this as Roma are the only side that they have faced on more than two occasions in this competition and remain unbeaten, having won one and drawn two. We do see this record falling this Tuesday evening though as Roma are without an away win in the Champions League since 2010 and we can see the home side being far too good for a side that has conceded seven in two on the road this season, but with them having bagged six goals themselves in these matches we can see goals in this one too.
Our money is on Barcelona to win and both sides to score at odds of 2.45 in the Betfair Sportsbook!
Manchester United v PSV: 1.50 – 4.20 – 7.00
Group B is one of the most tightly packed groups in the Champions League coming into the fifth round of matches as these two sides are separated by just a single point at the top of the group with Wolfsburg level with PSV in third and CSKA Moscow within touching distance at the bottom of the pile. Victory for United will assure them of a place in the knockout stage but they will have to overcome the memories of a terrible night if they are to do this.
The first time these sides met this season saw Luke Shaw suffered a double leg fracture at the Philips Stadion more than two months ago and the left back was so horribly injured that he is expected to be out for at least another four months. After this happened Memphis Depay scored against his old side, but it was the Dutch side that ultimately triumphed on a difficult night for the Premier League team. However, with United having recorded four successive clean sheets on home soil in all competitions before tonight and PSV having lost six of their last seven away Champions League matches going back to 2007 we can see the EPL side reaching the last 16 stage of the competition in front of their own fans in style this Wednesday night.
Our top Man United v PSV tip is back the home side to win to nil @ 2.37 at Betfair.com.
Juventus v Man City: 2.15 – 3.30 – 3.30
This battle of the sides sitting clear at the top of Group D at the Juventus Stadium in Turin is the closest match of the four we’re taking a look at from this week’s Champions League games and it is not a surprise to see the home side favoured to win this match. They are the side that needs to win this game to ensure a place in the next phase of the competition as they are just five points clear of Sevilla and that could drop to just two if the Spanish side can win in Germany this week and Manchester City ensure that they cannot be caught. Juventus did win at The Etihad Stadium in September and with them away to Sevilla on the final day, will this fear factor be enough to see them triumph?
Juventus have a fantastic European record on home soil as they have been beaten only by Barcelona and Bayern Munich in more than a decade since they were beaten 1-0 by Deportivo La Coruna in March 2004. The Italians come into this match having come from a goal down to win in Manchester and they are unbeaten in four before this Wednesday night football, which compares very favourably to their guests. City were thumped 4-1 at home by Liverpool at the weekend in which the only positive was the goal from Sergio Aguero who returned from injury. However, they have won both of their away matches in Monchengladbach and Sevilla this season so they too will be confident and desperate to bounce back after the weekend’s result.
City have conceded in both away Champions League games this season and with them taken apart on Sunday we can see goals in this clash.
Our best Juventus v Man City bet is back both teams to score at odds of 1.90 in the Betfair Sportsbook!