The Champions League is back. Football fans across Europe will be expecting big things as we enter the business stage of the competition this week. With a few of the continent’s most successful clubs in action, we could be set for a thrilling couple of days.
Manchester United’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain has flipped on its head in recent weeks. When the draw was made, most expected PSG to cruise to victory but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has United fans believing again. A famous night under the Old Trafford lights beckons…
Roma and Porto will do battle in Tuesday’s second fixture and punter may find it difficult to split the two sides. With the Italian side at 19/20 and Porto at 4/5 in the latest Champions League odds, this one is evenly matched and could go down to the wire.
Without further ado, it is time to take a closer look at Tuesday’s European fixtures. The race for Champions League glory is well and truly on – and securing a first leg lead could be huge. Scroll down for my best bets ahead of February 12th.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs Paris Saint-Germain
Solskjaer has done an incredible job since taking over at Old Trafford, leading United on an 11-match unbeaten run. The Red Devils have won 10 of those games and confidence is high right now.
Paul Pogba is starting to justify his £89 million price tag. The Frenchman has been a huge hit under Solskjaer and he can make the difference on Tuesday night. 3/1 to score at anytime is an excellent price considering he has notched eight goals in his last nine games.
Meanwhile, PSG have gone in the opposite direction. An injury to Neymar in mid-January has thrown the French champions off their game. Thomas Tuchel’s men needed extra-time to get past National 1 side Villefranche in the Coupe de France just a few weeks ago.
Write the Ligue 1 leaders off at your peril. PSG have one of the strongest squads in world football and the visitors will be quietly confident of notching a positive result. 13/20 for PSG in 888sport’s double chance odds is worth considering.
United won’t have everything their own way on Tuesday night but I fancy Solskjaer’s side to notch a first leg lead. Given PSG’s injury woes and recent struggles, 13/10 for United to win at Old Trafford is huge price.
TIP: Manchester United to win @ 13/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Manchester United 2-1 PSG (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)
AS ROMA vs FC PORTO
With just one victory in their last four games in all competitions, Roma have failed to inspire confidence in recent weeks. Now sixth in the Serie A table, the Italian side will be hoping for a huge win on Tuesday night as they look to build momentum.
Roma got back to winning ways with a 3-0 success at Chievo on Friday and that extra day of rest should help the hosts. 21/20 for Roma to emerge victorious might be enough to tempt punters to side with the Italian outfit.
Porto are sitting pretty at the top of the Portuguese table but Benfica are just one point off the pace. Sergio Conceicao’s men have gone through a rough spell of their own in recent times but the 4/5 for Porto to avoid defeat in Rome is a solid price.
The Portuguese side picked up 16 points from their six Champions League group games and it would be foolish to write them off on that form. With just one loss in their previous seven European away games, Porto will be a tough nut to crack on Tuesday night.
I’m expecting a close, low-scoring encounter here. Both teams will be wary of falling too far behind on aggregate and that brings the 22/25 for under 2.5 goals into play. It might not be the most enthralling Champions League fixture of the week…
TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 22/25
PREDICTED SCORE: Roma 1-1 Porto (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
