Champions League Midway Roundup & Matchday 4 Tips

The Champions League is back this week and we have now reached the home stretch with Matchday 4. At the midway point of the Group Stage of the tournament, we have four teams with maximum points, four teams with no points and a number of teams who, if results go their way, could clinch a spot in the Knockout Phase in the new year, or even top spot in their group.

For the majority of teams though, this week is about giving them the best possible chance to have a strong finish to the competition over Weeks 5 and 6 and to maybe earn themselves a place in the next phase of the tournament, or at the very least the consolation of finishing third and earning a place in the Europa League’s new style first knockout phase.

If you would like to have a bet on the games this week and you have some bet365 Credits burning a hole in your pocket, now is a great time to use them. Remember, all your bet365 accounts have been combined into a single account now, which means even if you signed up with a Bet365 Poker bonus code, or used a different site, you can still use your cash to bet on the Champions League at bet365 Sport.

Let’s now take a look at the matches taking place this week, with a recap of how each team position in their group stands after three games.

All odds are courtesy of bet365 Sport and were correct at the time of writing but may have changed since. All teams have played three out of six games in the competition so far.

To qualify for the next stage of the competition, the Round of 16, teams must finish in either of the top two places in their group. Teams are seeded for the draw based on their finishing position in the group.

Group A Table

1. Paris St Germain – 7pts (+3)
2. Manchester City – 6pts (+5)
3. Club Brugge – 4pts (-3)
4. Red Bull Leipzig – 0pts (-5)

Group A Games Matchday 4

• Wed 8pm – Manchester City v Club Brugge

A win for Manchester City here would leave them just two points short of qualifying for the next phase and in truth, a win will likely be enough anyway with Club Brugge still to face Paris St Germain in France. City were comfortable winners when the two teams met in Belgium a couple of weeks back winning 5-1 and I would be very surprised if the English Champions don’t follow that up with a similar result here. Back Man City to land a 4-0 win at 7/1 with bet365.

• Wed 8pm – Red Bull Leipzig v Paris St Germain

If PSG can pick up another three points here not only would it keep them top of Group A, but it would also leave them just one point short of being confirmed as qualified. In truth, given the goal difference between themselves and Club Brugge, that may be a formality anyway. Red Bull are a decent team in attack but the sale of defenders like Konate and Upemecano has made their defence leaky and as such, I am backing PSG to land the win here at 11/10 with bet365.

Group B Table

1. Liverpool – 9pts (+6)
2. Atletico Madrid – 4pts (0)
3. FC Porto – 4pts (-3)
4. AC Milan – 0pts (-3)

Group B Games Matchday 4

• Wed 8pm – Liverpool v Atletico Madrid

These two played out a cracker in Spain a couple of weeks back, Liverpool running out 3-2 winners and Atletico having Antoine Griezmann sent off in the game, meaning he is suspended for this match. Atletico need something really here with this group being tight behind the Reds and you know Simeone will have primed his team to try and hit the Reds on the counter. Brighton did that well at the weekend, but without Griezmann, it is hard to see Atletico having the same threat in attack. As such, I am backing Liverpool to land the win here but with both teams finding the net at 12/5.

• Wed 5.45pm – AC Milan v FC Porto

If Liverpool win, then they will qualify from this group and if FC Porto cannot land a win in their game with Milan, then Liverpool would win the group. There is plenty to play for here, especially for Porto who could move second with a win or draw here. However, Milan will know that a win could well put them right back in contention in this group. I feel this will be the game that the Rossonieri get their game together and take the win. Milan are evens to win the game and that is a great value bet.

Group C Table

1. Ajax Amsterdam – 9pts (+10)
2. Borussia Dortmund – 6pts (-2)
3. Sporting Lisbon – 3pts (-2)
4. Besiktas – 0pts (-6)

Group C Games Matchday 4

• Wed 8pm – Borussia Dortmund v Ajax Amsterdam

Ajax thrashed Dortmund 4-0 when these two teams met a couple of weeks back in Amsterdam and I think that result will have been a wakeup call for the German side. There is no doubt that they are much better than that result suggests but I also feel that perhaps we aren’t giving Ajax enough credit for their performance too. I think the Dutch side will do enough to earn a point from this game so back the draw at 5/2.

• Wed 8pm – Sporting Lisbon v Besiktas

After beating the Turkish side 4-1 away from. home last time out, it is hard to think that Sporting could then lose the home leg between the two. Besides, a win for them would bring them back into contention in this group and put the pressure on the teams above them. My gut feeling is that Sporting win this one very comfortably. Back them with a -1 goal handicap to land the win at 11/10, meaning any two goal victory would see you the winner.

Group D Table

1. Sheriff Tiraspol – 6pts (+1)
2. Real Madrid – 6pts (+5)
3. Inter Milan – 4pts (+1)
4. Shakhtar Donetsk – 0pts (-7)

Group D Games Matchday 4

• Wed 5.45pm – Real Madrid v Shakhtar Donetsk

Real Madrid slaughtered Shakhtar 5-0 when the teams met in the Ukraine a couple of weeks back and there is no doubt that the confidence they gained from that win has been carried through into other games since. I do fear for Shakhtar here as I think they are struggling at the moment in this group and I can’t see them getting anything here other than another brutal beating. Take Real Madrid to win and over 3.5 total goals at 6/4.

• Wed 8pm – Sheriff Tiraspol v Inter Milan

The bookies are still not sold on Sheriff Tiraspol, given their lengthy odds to win this game of 10/1, but they have beaten Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid in this group and at one point, were 1-1 with Inter in Milan. I think they deserve a bit more credit than those odds suggest and I certainly would not be lumping on Inter at 2/7. In fact, I think Sheriff can get something from this game and I think a draw at 9/2 looks a good option.

Group E Table

1. Bayern Munich – 9pts (+12)
2. Benfica – 4pts (-1)
3. Barcelona – 3pts (-5)
4. Dynamo Kyiv – 1pt (-6)

Group E Games Matchday 4

• Tue 8pm – Bayern Munich v Benfica

Bayern defeated Benfica 4-0 in Portugal on Matchday 3 and all of those goals came from the 70^th minute onwards suggesting Benfica finally fell apart in the face of Bayern pressure. The German’s form this season has been a little flaky at times, especially domestically, but in Europe they have been superb and I can’t see anything but another dominant win here.  Back Bayern to win and both teams to scroe – No at 11/10 with bet365.

• Tue 8pm – Dynamo Kyiv v Barcelona

Barcelona earned a narrow win when the two teams met at the Nou Camp, a 1-0 win for the home side not enough to convince the Barcelona faithful that their team was on the way back. Ronald Koeman was sacked shortly after and in truth, this is the worst Barcelona team I have seen for a while and I think they may struggle to get the win here. Kyiv are no great shakes either, but I am backing them to pick up a point here. Back the correct score 1-1 draw at 13/2.

Group F Table

1. Manchester United – 6pts (+1)
2. Villarreal– 4pts (+2)
3. Atalanta – 4pts (0)
4. Young Boys – 3pts (-6)

Group F Games Matchday 4

• Tue 8pm – Atalanta v Manchester United

United put their recent poor run of results behind them with a fine 3-0 win over Tottenham at the weekend as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer changed his formation to play Ronaldo and Cavani together. Both also scored and I feel with Atalanta being a team that has won just two of seven games at home in all competitions this season, United have a great chance here. A win would keep them top of the group and I feel that is what they will get. Bet on United to win and both teams to score at 11/4.

• Tue 8pm – Villarreal v Young Boys

Villarreal were superb winners when the teams met in Switzerland, earning a 4-1 victory and putting themselves back in contention in the group. The Swiss side were put to the sword by some fine attacking play by the Spanish side and I think they could be in for another tough night here. Villarreal have a lot of quality in key areas and that told in the first game and will do so again on Tuesday night. Take Villarreal to win and both teams to score – Yes at 15/8.

Group G Table

1. Red Bull Salzburg – 7pts (+3)
2. Sevilla – 3pts (0)
3. Lille – 2pts (-1)
4. Wolfsburg – 2pts (-2)

Group G Games Matchday 4

• Tue 5.45pm – Wolfsburg v Red Bull Salzburg

Salzburg have taken control of Group G with two wins in their last two games, including beating Wolfsburg last time out on Matchday 3. That 3-1 win was well deserved and I think the Austrian side have proven they are the strongest team of what is a tight group. Wolfsburg’s form has been disappointing this season in Europe, but they ended a run of four defeats with a win at Leverkusen at the weekend an I am backing the home side get the win here at 27/20.

• Tue 8pm – Sevilla v Lille

It is hard to know what to make of Lille this season. They have picked up just a draw in their last three games, losing the others, but they are Champions of France and have proven to be very tough to beat at times. Sevilla have lost just once in La Liga and are just a point off the top of the table, but have drawn their three games in Europe so far. However, I think this will be the game that ends that run as I am backing Sevilla to land a big win here. Take Sevilla to win this 2-0 at 6/1.

Group H Table

1. Juventus – 9pts (+5)
2. Chelsea – 6pts (+4)
3. Zenit St Petersburg – 3pts (+2)
4. Malmo – 0pts (-11)

Group H Games Matchday 4

• Tue 5.45pm – Malmo v Chelsea

It is fair to say that Malmo have been outclassed by all three teams in this group in their three opening matches and it does look like being a very difficult finish to the group for them. Chelsea know that as they trail Juventus by three points, they can’t afford to slip up here if they want to top the group. As such, I am expecting another dominant performance by the current European Champions and a solid win. Take Chelsea to win 3-0 which is a 6/1 bet with bet365.

• Tue 8pm – Juventus v Zenit St Petersburg

Zenit have proven to be difficult opponents to get the better of in Europe this year, only losing their games to Chelsea and Juventus by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.  However scoring goals against the top teams is their problem and I think that will be their undoing here. Juventus are in a great position in this group and a win here would make them certain of qualifying. Back Juventus to land a 1-0 win at 6/1.

The Champions League Round 16 is now underway — find out what has happened so far with a preview of what is to come.