The Champions League returns to our screens this week for matchday five.

This could be the final meaningful match of the competition for some sides, while it is a crucial opportunity for others to cement their place in the last 16.

Tuesday offers us some cracking matches, four of which are previewed below.

Juventus vs VALENCIA

Juventus were stunned by Manchester United last time out in the Champions League.

The Italian champions are still in control of the group on nine points, though, and they can secure a last 16 berth with victory over Valencia in Turin. The Old Lady cruised to a 2-0 away win against the same opponents on matchday one.

Valencia need a win to keep their hopes of progression in their own hands ahead of their clash with Manchester United on matchday six.

They have scored four goals in the group, but they all came against Young Boys on matchdays three and four. Dropping into the Europa League is the most likely outcome for the Spanish club.

Juventus are too short a price at 2/5. Valencia to fail to score looks the best value.

TIP: Valencia to score under 0.5 goals @ 21/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Juventus 2-0 Valencia (Priced at 23/4 with 888sport)

 

Lyon vs MANCHESTER CITY

Lyon shocked the footballing world with their matchday one win at the Etihad Stadium. The Ligue 1 side are second in the group despite drawing their following three matches in the competition.

Form domestically has been solid, but this is a massive test with Hoffenheim sitting just three points behind them.

Manchester City recovered from that blip in the way everyone expected. They have dominated in the Champions League since, which featured nine goals and none conceded over two matches against Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Premier League champions have failed to win two of their matches since 1st September – they look unstoppable right now.

Lyon took advantage of a slightly sub-par start to the campaign from City. Pep Guardiola’s side are now in full flow, though, and are good value to cruise to another win.

TIP: Over 2.5 Man City goals @ 26/25

PREDICTED SCORE: Lyon 1-4 Man City (Priced at 13/1 with 888sport)

 

MANCHESTER UNITED vs Young Boys

Manchester United’s dramatic win over Juventus seems a distant memory in the Jose Mourinho soap opera. Further criticism of his players last week was followed by a dismal display at home to Crystal Palace.

A win here paired with Valencia failing to win would book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, which Mourinho desperately needs as he further falls off the pace domestically.

Young Boys are set to drop out of Europe altogether unless they win their two remaining matches.

The Swiss side were thoroughly outclassed in the reverse fixture and will not hold out much hope of picking up anything even against a dysfunctional Manchester United.

Much like with Juventus, the hosts are not great value at 7/25. Three or more home goals is the way to go.

TIP: Over 2.5 Man United goals @ 57/50

PREDICTED SCORE: Man United 3-1 Young Boys (Priced at 19/2 with 888sport)

 

 

ROMA vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid head to Rome after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Eibar at the weekend. The permanent appointment of Santiago Solari has not drastically changed the fortunes of the European champions, though they should make it into the last 16.

Roma fell 3-0 at the Bernabeu, but have performed superbly since then, including an impressive win away to CSKA Moscow last time out.

Their domestic form has been indifferent at best – they lost 1-0 to lowly Udinese at the weekend – but victory here would put them into the last 16 with a great chance of topping the group.

The home side represent solid value here. The 8/11 double chance price is one of the best in the Champions League this week.

TIP: Roma to win OR draw @ 8/11

PREDICTED SCORE: Roma 2-1 Real Madrid (Priced at 19/2 with 888sport)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

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*

The Betfair Chase has now become one of the most anticipated races of the National Hunt season and on Saturday afternoon thousands of fans will be descending upon Haydock Park.

Established in 2005, the Betfair Chase has continually attracted some of the best chasers in the land and this year is no exception, even if it is a small but select field.

The Betfair Chase forms the first leg of the £1m Jockey Club sponsored Triple Crown, which is awarded to any horse that can win the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Cheltenham Gold Cup at The Festival next March.

Over the course of 13 years, the Betfair Chase has produced a highly esteemed roll of honour.

The people’s favourite Kauto Star won the race four times (2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011) with his last win lifting the roof off the Haydock stands. A statue was even erected in his honour at the track.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card almost pulled off the hat-trick of wins required to land the Triple Crown bonus but he fell when holding every chance in the Gold Cup. He managed to win the Betfair Chase a total of three times in his glittering career.

As well as saddling Kauto Star to win this race on more than one occasion, Paul Nicholls also trained Silviniaco Conti to win the highly coveted Lancashire Chase (registered name) twice.

Just five runners go to post on Saturday, but what a line-up it is:

 

Might Bite

The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old is proving to be a very popular choice amongst punters due to the drying conditions being totally in his favour and with many of his rivals having several questions to face on the surface.

Track conditions and the sharper nature of the Haydock track all appear to be on his side this weekend and it will make a refreshing change to see the race run on decent ground at Haydock, which hasn’t been the case in recent years.

Might Bite encountered only one defeat last season when he was outgunned by Native River in the Gold Cup after an enthralling duel. Less than a month later he travelled with aplomb as he routed the field in the Betway Bowl and Aintree.

If he runs anywhere near that kind of level here he will be a tough but to crack under his regular pilot Nico De Boinville.

 

Native River

Native River has no problem with quicker ground, indeed five of his 11 wins have come on going described as good or good-to-soft.

His front-running style means that he often beats his rivals into submission but it is very unlikely he will get all his own way at the head of the field on this occasion.

Owned by Brocade Racing and trained by Colin Tizzard, the nine-year-old has won five of his last six chases, namely the Hennessy, Coral Welsh National, Denman Chase (twice) and the Gold Cup.

His only defeat in the last two seasons was a third-place finish behind Sizing John at in the 2017 renewal of the Gold Cup.

In the overall scheme of things this is a formable record which other owners can only dream about and he is sure to be on the premises once again on Saturday.

 

Bristol De Mai

Bristol De Mai needs no introduction as far as this race goes and his demolition of the field 12 months ago is still a statisticians dream to this day.

Even though every form student knows that the ground completely fell into his lap that day, he is certainly no one-trick pony and nobody can deny that his Haydock form is impeccable.

Twiston-Davies’ galloping grey is three from three at the venue. His first win at the track was in a Grade two novices’ chase, the second was in the Peter Marsh Handicap and the third was his runaway 57-length win in last season’s Betfair Chase.

All three of those wins however were in bottomless ground and there is a suspicion that he may get tapped for toe in these conditions against these top class rivals.

 

Thistlecrack

The 2016 King George winner has not won since his Kempton triumph but the Tizzard team still believe the ten-year-old is still a serious Gold Cup contender.

Injury has ruled Thistlecrack out of the last two Cheltenham Festivals and he has not been seen on a racecourse since his fourth-placed effort in the King George on Boxing Day last year.

The ten-year-old was head and shoulders above the opposition as a staying hurdler and his transition to fences had the fan boys and fan girls gaping in awe at his jumping prowess.

Unfortunately all that came to a juddering halt but it would be completely folly to rule a Lazarus style return on another big stage.

 

Clan Des Obeaux

Trained by Paul Nicholls, this six-year-old has very little mileage on the clock and looks a progressive type.

He won a graduation chase on this very card last year before finishing runner-up to Guitar Pete in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham when trying to give away 21lb to the winner.

The gelding, who is part owned by Sir Alec Ferguson, returned to action four months later finishing a keeping-on third behind Might Bite and Bristol De Mai in the Betway Bowl at Aintree.

888sport suggests: Clan Des Obeaux (e/w).

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

With a few of England’s biggest clubs playing on Saturday afternoon, punters may not have looked at Sunday and Monday in too much detail. However, there are still three tasty games for 888sport customers to get stuck into.

Let’s get down to the Premier League best bets this weekend, starting with Bournemouth at home against Arsenal. The Cherries headline my Sunday and Monday 9/2 treble…

AFC BOURNEMOUTH vs Arsenal

Bournemouth have lost one of their last nine matches on home soil and the Cherries will be difficult to beat. Eddie Howe will have his troops fired up and ready to go to war on Sunday afternoon.

The 17/20 for a win or draw represents solid value. Bournemouth are in the mix to snag the coveted ‘best of the rest’ seventh spot this season and fans will be excited for this one.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run goes on but the Gunners have drawn four of their last five games in all competitions. Unai Emery’s men may find it hard to keep tabs on this fluid Bournemouth side…

The north London outfit will be quietly confident of emerging victorious but 49/50 is short. Stick with Bournemouth to avoid defeat in front of an expectant home crowd.

TIP: Bournemouth to win OR draw @ 17/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Bournemouth 2-1 Arsenal (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs Huddersfield Town

Wolves have won just one of their last five Premier League outings but the Molineux faithful will be expecting big things this weekend. On paper, this is definitely a very winnable game for the hosts…

The newly promoted side are currently mid-table after a hit and miss start to the campaign but 10/13 for Wolves to score two or more goals on Sunday afternoon is well worth taking.

Still second bottom of the table, Huddersfield have failed to inspire confidence in 2018/19. David Wagner’s side were somewhat unlucky to draw with West Ham last time out though after dominating for most of the game.

Punters backing the visitors may be tempted by the 7/4 for Huddersfield to avoid defeat this weekend. A positive result for Wagner’s men could be huge for momentum in the relegation battle.

TIP: Over 1.5 Wolves goals @ 10/13

PREDICTED SCORE: Wolves 2-0 Huddersfield (Priced at 24/5 with 888sport)

 

BURNLEY vs NEWCASTLE UNITED

The Premier League schedulers have left the best until last. Okay, not really but Burnley and Newcastle fans will both fancy their chances ahead of what is a tough match to call.

Burnley were solid at Turf Moor last season but the Clarets have struggled for the most part in 2018/19. 7/4 for Sean Dyche’s side to claim three points is worth a second look.

Meanwhile, Newcastle secured back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign prior to the international break. The Magpies will be quietly confident of notching a third successive triumph here.

Rafa Benitez will have a game plan and Newcastle could nick this one. However, opting for the under 2.5 goals line at 3/5 represents solid value. Monday night’s clash could be low-scoring.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 3/5

PREDICTED SCORE: Burnley 0-1 Newcastle (Priced at 13/2 with 888sport)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Birmingham City assistant manager and former Premier League striker James Beattie takes on Blues defender Harlee Dean in the Penalty Roulette challenge.

Will Southampton great Beattie prove he’s still got it or will he be outdone by rugged defender Dean, as the pair battle it out from 12 yards with rabonas, panekas and more!

We’ll be bringing you exclusive Birmingham City video content throughout the season, so stay tuned!

Birmingham – 19/20

Draw – 43/20

Hull – 16/5

Birmingham City’s incredible unbeaten run is over but the Blues have the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways when they host Hull City on Saturday afternoon. Birmingham are priced at 19/20 to claim three points at St Andrew’s in this clash.

Garry Monk’s men had won four league games in a row before last week’s defeat to Derby County and the home fans will be hoping for another victory. The Blues ran out 3-0 winners in this fixture last season – a good omen for fans backing Birmingham with 888sport.

27/25 for over 1.5 Birmingham goals is an excellent price. The hosts will want to put on a show for the ardent St Andrew’s crowd and Hull’s away record will give Garry Monk’s side confidence. The visitors have lost five of their last six on the road.

It will come as no surprise to see Lukas Jutkiewicz selected for 888sport’s special wincast. The Blues striker has been in superb form as of late and the 29-year-old could profit against an inconsistent Hull defence. 888sport customers can back Jutkiewicz to score in a Birmingham win at an enhanced 16/5 ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Monk’s men are heading in the right direction and another positive result looks likely here. 19/20 for a Blues triumph looks like the best bet.

Prediction: Blues 2-0 Hull 6/1

Bet of the day: Over 1.5 Birmingham goals 27/25

Outside punt: Birmingham to win both halves 27/5

Enhanced wincast: Lukas Jutkiewicz to score and Birmingham win 16/5

Derby – 10/11

Draw – 12/5

Birmingham – 3/1

Birmingham City will try to extend their impressive unbeaten run to 12 games when they visit Derby County on Saturday afternoon and are 3/1 to snatch a huge win at Pride Park.

Garry Monk’s side have won four Championship matches in a row and punters will fancy the visitors to push Derby close this weekend. The Rams were in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday night and Birmingham may benefit from that distraction.

The Blues snatched a draw in this fixture last season and 12/5 is a solid price for another close affair on Saturday. Monk’s men are full of confidence right now and an away win will see Birmingham climb above their opponents in the Championship table.

Lukas Jutkiewicz has scored eight league goals in 2018/19 and the 29-year-old could profit again this weekend. 888sport customers can back Jutkiewicz to score in a Birmingham win at an enhanced 8/1 ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Monk’s men are heading in the right direction and another positive result looks likely here. 22/25 for Birmingham to avoid defeat is worth considering but both teams to score could be the best bet at Pride Park.

Prediction: Derby 1-1 Blues (11/2)

Bet of the day: Both teams to score (41/50)

Outside punt: Birmingham to lead at half-time (17/5)

Enhanced wincast: Lukas Jutkiewicz to score and Birmingham win (8/1)

Birmingham 4/5

Draw 49/20 

Reading 18/5 

Blues are worthy odds-on 4/5 favs to claim all three points at home to Reading on Tuesday night. 

Monk’s men are nine matches unbeaten in the Championship and are up to 14th in the table after victory away to Stoke on Saturday.

The last six matches between these two teams have featured under 2.5 goals so the 4/5 on under 2.5 goals is worth considering if you fancy another low-scoring affair under the lights. 

Blues were rock solid defensively away to Stoke and now have the fourth-best defensive record in the Championship – get on the 13/10 about the hosts completing another shut-out.

The visitors bounced back from a couple of defeats to beat Millwall at the weekend but are still five points off Blues and could slip back into the relegation zone with defeat here.

Reading’s 21 goals conceded is one of the worst in the league. Blues’ 19/20 price to score over 1.5 is decent value. 

Lukas Jutkiewicz caused Stoke plenty of problems at the weekend. The striker features in our 3/1 enhanced wincast and is 7/4 to score anytime. 

Prediction: 2-0 7/1 

Bet of the day: Blues to be winning at half-time and full-time 37/20 

Outside punt: Jutkiewicz to score first in a Blues 2-0 win 20/1 

Enhanced wincast: Jutkiewicz to score and Blues to win 3/1

Stoke City 19/20

Draw 11/5

Birmingham City 3/1

Blues are 3/1 to beat Stoke City when they travel to the Potteries this Saturday afternoon.

Birmingham are unbeaten in eight matches in the Championship after a brilliant 3-1 victory over Rotherham prior to the international break.

Garry Monk’s side have been excellent on the road of late, drawing away to Brentford and winning at Leeds in their last two. A solid defence has been key for Monk this season and Blues are 13/4 to keep another clean sheet in Stoke this weekend.

Blues have scored in all of their last four matches and Stoke’s defence has been inconsistent this term, therefore the 13/5 on Blues bagging two or more is a real tempter.

After a poor start to the season, the hosts have somewhat improved of late, winning two and drawing one of their last three, but Blues can leapfrog the Potters with victory and are 6/1 to be winning at half-time and full-time.

Lukas Jutkiewicz is a good price at 5/2 to score anytime after his hat-trick last time out and 13/2 to bag anytime in a Birmingham win.

Prediction: 1-2 23/2

Bet of the day: Birmingham to win be winning at half-time and full-time 6/1

Outside punt: Lukas Jutkiewicz to score first in a Blues win 23/2

Former Chelsea hit-man Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Maurizio Sarri is bringing the good times back to Stamford Bridge with dominant football being played and happier players following the departure of Antonio Conte.

“The year they won the title it was through counter-attacking football and often the other team had more of the ball even at Stamford Bridge.

"You can win the league like that, with what Chelsea were doing in the transition, that’s all right. But in the second season you have to see a progression and that wasn’t the case.

“Sarri has come in and changed that straight away. It has happened a lot quicker than people thought it would.

"And they are improving too, very dominant and have the ball a lot. Because of that you’re seeing the smiles back on the players’ faces again as well.”

Since the chain-smoker from Naples introduced Sarri-ball to our shores this summer the Blues have looked like a team transformed, racking up points galore and remaining unbeaten to this point.

Does the likeable Dutchman think they could go all the way this year, upsetting the odds that have Manchester City down as firm title favourites with Liverpool their only feasible rival?

“I think Chelsea are still a little behind Man City. City have so much strength in depth and the Champions League is not affecting them. But if Chelsea can keep on improving and don’t allow the gap to become bigger than it is now then you never know.

“With Liverpool they are not as fluid as they were. I don’t know if they have enough to keep on challenging City and maybe they’re suffering a bit from coming out of a big group in the Champions League."

If the West London giants are to continue improving – and even perhaps mount a serious title charge – it is imperative that Eden Hazard carries on his phenomenal form.

The twinkling Belgian has been directly involved in 11 goals in 11 games this term and put in a series of performances that have genuinely astounded. For Hasselbaink though there is a down-side to that. 

“For me it’s a very bad thing if you become a one-man team. Hazard is magnificent but if you look at last season with Liverpool, Salah scored so many goals and they became a one-man team as well.

"They didn’t win anything. If you are a one-man team you won’t win any trophies so others are going to have to step up. They have to step up and help him.”

What’s more they have to help him while they can because right now the rumour mill is churning out ‘Hazard to Real Madrid’ stories faster than we can read them.

Even with the astronomical fee that Chelsea will surely demand can they afford to lose such a special talent at the season’s end?

“If the player wants to go, he’s going to go. He’s been a great servant and he has done it the right way if he wants to go.

"But Chelsea should build a team around Hazard and not lose him. They need to get more stars on the same level as Hazard and be a force in England and Europe like what Man City is trying to do now.”

As a two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner Hasselbaink knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net which makes his thoughts on his former club’s misfiring striker Alvaro Morata all the more fascinating.

For the 46 year old pundit it comes down to the old adage of staying true to yourself.

“I like Morata. A lot of people are taking about him and he’s getting a lot of mixed messages. That is not helping him. He needs to keep on looking at his qualities and he’s got big qualities.

"I don’t think he should play the physical game. He should play to his strengths which is an eye for goal and his little runs behind the defence.

"He’s quick and he makes things difficult for defences and that’s what he needs to keep on doing. He shouldn’t play like Giroud because that’s not him.”

The divisive Italian will be desperately hoping to add to his five goal haul this Saturday as Chelsea travel the short distance to Wembley to take on Tottenham in an engrossing top six bout.

At the other end of the pitch of course will be a fellow front-man who has already raised the roof at the famous ground this week in England colours; a striker who Hasselbaink has nothing but the highest regard for.

“At the moment we have three really good out-and-out strikers in the world. We have Aguero, Lewandowski and definitely Harry Kane. I like him a lot. He gives a lot of versatility.

"He can play off a striker or as a number nine. He’s not the quickest but he’s quick enough. He’s not the strongest but he’s strong enough.

"He has a great shot and most importantly for any striker he has the feeling for where he has to be in the box to score goals. You can’t teach that.

“He also has the habit of scoring important goals. You look at a lot of striker who when leading two or three nil they score two goals.

"All goals are important of course but it’s the 1-0s and the 2-1s and 1-1s; that’s where the pressure is and can you cope with the pressure? Can you put the ball in the net then? He has the skill to do that.”

 

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's Quick-Fire Questions

Score Prediction For Tottenham vs Chelsea?

2-1 to Chelsea

 

First Goal Scorer?

Pedro

 

Who Will Win The Premier League?

Manchester City

 

Who Will Win The Golden Boot?

Sergio Aguero

 

Who Will Win The Champions League?

Manchester City