18 games in a night? David Easson has his top tips for who will come out on top after what should be a rollercoaster evening in this Champions League Betting Preview
Firstly, to Eindhoven where Liverpool are taking their kindergarten squad for the final group game. The prices have tumbled accordingly but at the time of writing this PSV side are still odds against and worth a shot against a Liverpool side who could have Endo at centre back.
Second placed Barca host an Atalanta side that are seventh and need something to avoid dropping into the play-offs. Barca won 5-4 at Benfica last week and this game screams goals with Atalanta the third highest scorers in the competition. Over 3.5 goals is 10/11
Bang in the middle of the playoffs places is Lille against Feyenoord – 12th v 11th - with both level on 13 points. It’s got the look and feel of a top Europa League tie this one and with both needing goals, both should get them. Over 3.5 goals is 15/8
Dortmund are 14th could still make the top eight and host a Shakhtar Donetsk side that have an outside chance of making the play-offs. Dortmund sacked boss Nurin Sahin last week. They have one win in 10 and with Shakhtar scoring in each of their last four Champions League games this is a real test. They’re just back off their winter break so it should fall kindly for Dortmund. They should scrape through with both teams scoring at 8/5
Brest and Real Madrid can both make the play-offs but Ancelotti’s side look on top form to really make sure. Madrid have scored 17 goals in their last 4 matches. The French side have had a wonderful competition but these are the last side they’d want to meet on matchday 8. Real on the -1 handicap are 21/20
A win over Celtic would give Aston Villa a shot at advancing straight to the Round of 16, while Celtic have booked their spot in the play-offs and would need a statistical miracle to go straight through even if they won. I didn’t like what I saw from Villa against West Ham on Sunday. They looked tired and Emi Martinez looked all kinds of wobbly in goal.
Celtic on the double chance at 17/10 is a tempter!
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