Champions League betting tips: Manchester United, Celtic and Barcelona offering tantalising odds on Wednesday evening
- DIAMOND: Barcelona to beat Olympiakos to nil (7/10)
- NEXT BEST: Manchester United to beat Benfica to nil (21/10)
- LONG SHOT: Celtic to beat Bayern Munich (28/1)
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THE Champions League has returned with the English teams, and Celtic, looking to take a big step towards the last 16.
With Man United, Chelsea, Barcelona and the Bhoys in action, Wednesday offers arguably the better night of football and an exciting night of betting.
Benfica vs Manchester United
Man United have made light work of the Champions League since their return this year.
A 3-0 win over Basel was followed up by a 4-1 victory over CSKA in Moscow.
Benfica proved a banana skin for United when they knocked Sir Alex Ferguson's teams out of the group stage in 2005 and 2011.
But there's little chance of that happening this time.
The former European champs have been unbelievable poor in the competition so far, losing 2-1 at home to CSKA Moscow and 5-0 in Basel.
VERDICT: Man United to win to nil (21/10)
CSKA Moscow vs Basel
Probably the most important match in the group, both teams sit on three points having beaten Benfica and lost to Man United.
CSKA Moscow are in good form in Russia, if a little goal shy.
Meanwhile Basel go into this match on the back of a 4-0 domestic win in Lugano and a 5-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League.
It's a tough one to call, but the Russians at home are always a decent bet.
CSKA Moscow to shade it.
VERDICT: CSKA Moscow to win (Evens)
Anderlecht vs PSG
The last round of Champions League matches saw Group B take shape.
PSG's 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich established them as the team to beat.
And Anderlecht's 3-0 loss at home to Celtic means they look all set to be the whipping boys.
The Belgian side's domestic form has picked up, but they aren't going to spring a surprise here.
A PSG win is so inevitable that better value may be found in backing a specific goalscorer.
VERDICT: Thomas Meunier to score anytime (15/4)
Bayern Munich vs Celtic
When the groups were drawn, this was arguably Celtic's most daunting fixture.
But Brendan Rodgers' men are definitely travelling to Munich at the right time, following Bayern's capitulation against PSG and Carlo Ancelotti's sacking.
Willy Sagnol has steadied the ship since taking caretaker charge, and the German champs secured an excellent 5-0 win over Freiburg at the weekend.
But the Bhoys will definitely expect to be more competitive than they were in their 5-0 drubbing by PSG on opening night.
And long odds on an away win could represent excellent value for more adventurous punters.
VERDICT: Celtic to win (28/1)
Qarabag vs Atletico Madrid
Qarabag opened up with an embarrassing 6-0 loss at a Chelsea fringe XI.
And things didn't seem to be getting any better when they went 2-0 down to Roma after 15 minutes.
But they then got one back, proved they are a different prospect in Azerbaijan and were unlucky not to earn a point.
Meanwhile Atletico Madrid are playing for their lives following a last ditch loss at home to Chelsea.
Only a win to nil will be acceptable for Diego Simeone and Europe's best defence.
VERDICT: Atletico Madrid to win to nil (7/10)
Chelsea vs Roma
Chelsea have had very little to shout about in the Premier League recently, but they are on course to easily make it through what could have been a tricky Champions League group.
A win at home to last season's Serie A runners-up would put them well on course for an early qualification.
Roma have been something of an Italian Tottenham over the years, securing some impressive results but never quite making the impact they would like in Europe.
Victory at Stamford Bridge would be a huge milestone for Eusebio Di Francesco's side and pile the pressure on Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
But ultimately, the experience of Antonio Conte's Blues should tell in West London.
VERDICT: Chelsea to win (4/6)
Juventus vs Sporting
Juventus are stuck in a mini-rut at the start of the season and trail Napoli by five points at the top of Serie A after a 2-1 loss at home to Lazio.
While they will be confident of turning that deficit around, it is in the Champions League where they have really failed to convince.
Massimo Allegri's side were outclassed by Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona in a 3-0 loss before securing a lucky 2-0 win over Olympiakos in their second match.
In contrast, Sporting have been impressive, easing past the Greeks away in their first match before succumbing to an unlucky 1-0 loss at home to Barcelona.
Even with the superior know how of the Old Lady at this level, the better value can be found by backing the Portuguese side.
VERDICT: Sporting to win (8/1)
Barcelona vs Olympiakos
In contrast to the other match in Group E, there is little, if any, chance of an upset as Olympiakos visit the Nou Camp.
While Barcelona top La Liga by four points, the visitors sit 5th in a Greek league that is normally meat and drink to them.
Improved organisation has been provided by new boss Takis Lemonis after Besnik Hasi was sacked following their shambolic home loss to Sporting.
But unbeaten Barca should have few problems in what could be the biggest mismatch of the week.
Keeping the score down is the best Olympiakos can hope for.
VERDICT: Barcelona to win to nil (7/10)
