European Football
There seems to be a recurring theme to these tipping articles which revolves around Liverpool desperately needing to win. This week’s Champions League game with Debrecen of Hungary is no different. Six games without a win for Rafa Benitez’s men has seen them fall five points off the top four and left their European hopes hanging by a thread.
They travel to Budapest to take on the Hungarian champions, who they managed to beat 1-0 in the opening round of the matches thanks to a Dirk Kuyt strike on the stroke of half-time. The Merseysider’s know that a win may not be enough to save their Champions League dream as a win for Fiorentina over Lyon would spell the end of the road for Benitez’s side.
Benitez does have skipper Steven Gerrard back though and he is 4/1 to open the scoring. Regardless of the result in Italy the Reds have to go about their business and make sure they give themselves every chance of making the knock-out stages. I expect Liverpool to secure a 2-0 victory at 11/2 but a home win in Florence will end their Champions League campaign.
Chelsea have already confirmed their spot in the knock-out stages and currently top Group D with three wins and one draw. They travel to Portugal to face Porto who have also sealed a spot in the next round and lie a point behind the west London side so this game is likely to decide who goes through as group winners.
Since a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa the Blues have been in fantastic form going seven games without defeat scoring 24 goals and conceding just two, away to Atletico Madrid in a 2-2 draw.
Michael Ballack has three goals already this season and is a 12/1 chance to open the scoring on Wednesday night. Porto have suffered just one home defeat against English opposition in the Champions League and that was thanks to a spectacular Cristiano Ronaldo strike for Manchester United last season. Chelsea might not have it all their own way and I would take the 9/2 on offer for a 1-1 draw.
Elsewhere Arsenal need a point to secure their place in the next stage and a home game against Standard Liege should be straight forward enough for them to make sure of that point. A disappointing defeat at Sunderland where the Gunners looked off the pace will have knocked their confidence but I expect them to bounce back with a 3-1 Arsenal win available at 17/2 .
Man Utd face a home game against Besiktas having already confirmed their qualification. The Turkish champions have just one point from their last four Champions League goals and have managed just one goal. A trip to Old Trafford is probably the last thing they need and a 4-0 Man Utd win is my pick at 14/1 .
Football Betting - Football Matches - Champions League Betting
