Following a busy night for English clubs in the Champions League on Tuesday, the fifth round of games conclude on Wednesday with both Manchester United and Chelsea in action. Manchester United need just a single point from their last two games to guarantee their promotion, whilst Chelsea slipped behind Roma in Group C after picking up just one point from their two games against the Italians. In this 4-fold betting preview I will be taking a look at four of the games on offer and providing you with my selections. All of the odds used in this article come courtesy of bet365 and are accurate at the time of writing.
Basel v Manchester United
Manchester United have a perfect record in this season’s Champions League, winning all four of their group games so far and conceding just once. They picked up a comfortable 4-1 win against Newcastle United at the weekend in a game that featured a number of positives for Jose Mourinho’s side; Paul Pogba returned with a goal and an assist, Romelu Lukaku scored for the first time in seven matches and Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned from long term injury. Mourinho could well include Ibrahimovic from the start against Basel on Wednesday and the mercurial Swede will be desperate to open his account for the season. I think Manchester United will pick up another win in this game and seal their qualification.
Champions League – St. Jakob-Park, Basel – Wednesday 22nd November – 19:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/2 at Ladbrokes |
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FC Basel
Manchester UnitedManchester United to win – 19/20
Atletico Madrid v Roma
Group C has been a hugely competitive group so far with no side managing to dominate the group. Roma currently lead the way on eight points, closely followed by Chelsea on seven, whilst Atletico Madrid find themselves on three points from four games. Diego Simeone’s side have struggled so far in Europe, having failed to win a game. They must win on Wednesday though, otherwise they will be eliminated and I’m backing them to do just that. A return of two goals in four games has been poor and they need star man Antoine Griezmann to start firing if they are to progress.
Champions League – Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid – Wednesday 22nd November – 19:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/2 at Ladbrokes |
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Atletico Madrid
RomaAtletico Madrid to win – 19/20
PSG v Celtic
Celtic fans knew things would be tough when they were drawn alongside PSG and Bayern Munich in Group B and I don’t foresee things getting any easier on Wednesday night. PSG have been superb so far in Europe, scoring 17 times and conceding none. The French champions won the reverse fixture 5-0 and I’m backing them to put on a show again at home in this one.
Champions League – Parc des Princes, Paris – Wednesday 22nd November – 19:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 12 at Ladbrokes |
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Paris
CelticPSG to win – 1/10
CSKA Moscow v Benfica
Benfica have been extremely underwhelming so far this season in a group which they would have hoped to qualify from. So far the Portuguese side have lost every game and scored just one goal in Group A. I can’t see them winning this one either against a CSKA side who really need a win to boost their chances of qualification with Basel facing Manchester United. CSKA have lost both of their home matches so far, but I’m backing them to pick up a win in this one.
Champions League – VEB Arena, Moscow – Wednesday 22nd November – 17:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 23/10 at Skybet |
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CSKA Moscow
Benfica LisboaCSKA to win – 6/5
Total 4-fold – 12.8/1