We’re at the halfway stage in the group stages of the Champions League. Here’s three key games and they include two champions who are in danger of elimination.
Tuesday November 2 – 8pm KOs
Atalanta v Manchester United
Somehow, Manchester United top Group F by two points from Villarreal and Atalanta. That’s despite only winning one game so far and being behind in all three. It’s a close group with bottom-of-the-table Young Boys (who beat United) only three points behind the English side.
United trailed Atalanta 2-0 in the reverse fixture but fought back to win 3-2. Since then, there’s been the nightmare against Liverpool and the Halloween Horror Inflicted on a poor Tottenham side or as Roy Keane calls them “boring.”
A win in Italy would be excellent for United and probably keep Solksjaer in his job for a little bit longer. However, United have lost their last three away games in the Champions League and four of the last five. Atalanta have no wins in their last three home games though and had to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Lazio on Saturday. A bet on both teams scoring looks a very likely winner. That’s 1/2 if you put your bet on with William Hill.
Sevilla v Lille
Here’s an interesting game in Group G. Sevilla are second with four points, one ahead of visitors Lille. The French champions may be third but are yet to concede a goal in this group from open play. They drew 0-0 at Wolfsburg and home to Sevilla. The 2-1 away loss at leaders Red Bull Salzburg but both goals conceded were penalties. Lille are struggling in Ligue 1 and lost 2-1 at PSG on Friday, leaving them 16 points behind the French Ligue 1 leaders.
Sevilla are in good form and know a home win will just about take them into the knock-out stages. They have only one loss in their last 15 games with 11 of the last 13 at home won. A bet on them to win this game with under 2.5 goals scored is 12/5 at Paddy Power.
Wednesday November 3 – 8pm KO
Sheriff Tiraspol v Inter
Inter Milan may be the current champions of Serie A but their recent Champions League record is a poor one. The past two seasons have seen them fail to get out of their group. On Wednesday, the third placed side are away to group D leaders Sheriff Tiraspol who they trail by two points. Real Madrid are in second, also two ahead of Inter and likely to beat Shakhtar Donetsk on the same night.
The pressure is on the Italian champions, who dare not lose in Moldova. Doing so could see them five points behind second with two games to go. Inter won the reverse fixture 3-1 against the surprise leaders. Only one of their last four away Champions League games has ended in victory for them. You can get odds of 3/10 at Betfred to win this match.
Sheriff can’t be ruled out though, having beaten Shakhtar at home and Real Madrid away. The loss in Milan is the only one they have suffered in 22 games. Their last 11 home games have all been won and the last eight have all seen a clean sheet kept. Five of their last six home Champions League games have also seen them not concede. They are as high as 12/1 at Bet365 to win this and 19/4 with them to draw.
