It is do or die time for some of Europe’s biggest clubs in the race to qualify for the 2018/19 Champions League knockout stages.
The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Liverpool are yet to secure their place in the last-16 of Europe’s elite club competition.
Two of those clubs, Spurs and Liverpool, are in action on Wednesday night.
Tottenham, our top Champions League tip for matchday five, will be full of confidence after their convincing victory over Chelsea while Liverpool could flourish in Paris if Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are ruled out.
Let’s get down to 888sport’s Champions League betting markets then; I’ve found a tasty 7/1 four-fold ahead of Wednesday’s football…
BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs CLUB BRUGGE
With nine points from four group games, Dortmund will secure their spot in the last-16 if they avoid defeat at home against Club Brugge.
888sport are offering 33/100 for the German giants to claim three points and the hosts will want to do just that as they look to pip Atletico Madrid to top spot in Group A.
The visitors may have to settle for a Europa League berth and keeping this one respectable is an absolute must. The fight for third spot could go down to goal difference…
Club Brugge kept their slender hopes alive with a win at Monaco last time out but this is a much tougher contest on paper. 23/25 for the visitors to be level or ahead at the break is worth considering.
I fancy goals in this one. The over 2.5 mark is well priced at 12/25 – the selection has landed in 12 of Dortmund’s last 14 games in all competitions.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 12/25
PREDICTED SCORE: Dortmund 3-0 Club Brugge (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
FC PORTO vs SCHALKE 04
Barring a minor miracle, Porto will feature in the Champions League knockout stages for the fourth time in the last six years. Without a doubt, Porto have been the most successful Super Liga club in recent times…
The 4/5 available for a home victory offers solid value and punters will be tempted to back Porto here. The hosts have won 11 of their previous 12 matches in all competitions.
Schalke have been hit and miss so far this season; the Bundesliga outfit have won their last three matches on soil but are winless in their last five away fixtures.
These sides played out a 1-1 draw in Germany and another tight affair is expected. 5/2 for Schalke to grab a draw is worth considering, it is difficult to split these teams on paper.
Opting for a low-scoring encounter may be the best way to go. 8/11 for under 2.5 goals is a respectable price and should be snapped up ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11
PREDICTED SCORE: Porto 1-1 Schalke (Priced at 11/2 with 888sport)
Paris Saint-Germain vs LIVERPOOL
A lot will hinge on the fitness of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. If both players are good to go, Paris Saint-Germain will start as red hot favourites to claim three points.
Victory for the hosts (23/20) will put all of the pressure on Liverpool ahead of their final group game against Napoli. Assuming the Italian side beat Red Star Belgrade, Jurgen Klopp’s men would need three points in that fixture at Anfield.
Liverpool needed to be patient last weekend but the Reds ran out 3-0 winners at Watford – no easy feat this season. Klopp’s side will be quietly confident ahead of the trip to Paris.
Defensively, Liverpool are much stronger these days and they will be determined to keep PSG at bay. Under 1.5 home goals represents solid value at 11/10 from a Liverpool point of view.
Neymar and Mbappe probably be 100% and that is enough to swing this one in Liverpool’s favour. 8/11 for the visitors to avoid defeat is too good to turn down.
TIP: Liverpool to win OR draw @ 8/11
PREDICTED SCORE: PSG 1-1 Liverpool (Priced at 13/2 with 888sport)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs Inter Milan
Spurs were simply sublime against Chelsea on Saturday night and the Wembley faithful will be expecting more of the same from Mauricio Pochettino’s men in this contest.
A win for the Premier League side will see Tottenham draw level on points with Inter ahead of matchday six. 4/6 for Spurs to score two or more is an excellent price.
Inter have been solid enough in this year’s competition but the Serie A giants may struggle to keep tabs on Spurs at Wembley. Backing against the hosts would be foolish to say the least…
On paper, Inter have the tools needed to cause problems for Spurs. Over 2.5 match goals is priced at 5/6 with 888sport ahead of Wednesday’s big match.
For me though, Tottenham should have enough to take the group down to the wire. 10/13 is a solid price given how ruthless they were against Chelsea.
TIP: Spurs to win @ 10/13
PREDICTED SCORE: Tottenham 2-0 Inter (Priced at 13/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
