EIGHT more matches to get stuck into in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid v Olympiakos | Wednesday 19:45 | Sky Sports Interactive
Group A in the Champions League has been a fascinating affair so far. Atletico Madrid look set to qualify for the knockout stages, but the question of who joins them is far from conclusive.
It looks like being a duel between Italian champions Juventus and Greek kings Olympiakos. The Greeks are travelling to Madrid this week to face last season’s runners-up. I’m of the view, they’ll find things too tough at the Calderon.
Olympiakos are a team I love backing at home. They’ve already beaten both Atletico and Juventus in Greece this autumn, but away they find life a bit trickier. Over the last four seasons in the Champions League they’ve lost eight of their 12 away matches. Perhaps their worst performance on the road came in September when they lost 2-0 to group outsiders Malmo.
Atletico Madrid returned to the Champions League party last season and were within minutes of lifting the trophy. On their way to the final they won five of their six home games and were unbeaten. AC Milan and Barcelona were among the sides who were slain at home. This season they’ve picked up where they left off and won both their home games without conceding a goal.
They’re 4/11 with Paddy Power to win this match, but I’m happy to trust them at odds-against 21/20 with BetVictor to win by more than one goal. That bet paid out on all their group games last season and also in their Last 16 meeting with AC Milan.
Malmo v Juventus | Wednesday 19:45 | Sky Sports Interactive
I may have mentioned in the past that I’m always looking to take on Juventus in the Champions League. Last season they were bitterly disappointing when failing to get out of a group consisting of FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray. This season they’ve also found it tough.
After losing 1-0 to Atletico in Madrid, they then lost to Olympiakos in Greece by the odd goal. Massimo Allegri’s side are in a battle to qualify for the knockout stages, and with Atletico next on the horizon, this is a must win.
Malmo were rank outsiders in the betting for the Champions League after the groups were drawn, but they really have acquitted themselves well. A 2-0 home win over Olympaikos was the highlight, but they’ve been frustrating for Atletico Madrid and Juventus to break down as well.
When these sides met in Turin back in September, it was only 2-0 to the home side. Apart from a bad away defeat at Atletico, Malmo have kept things tight in this competition. They’ve only scored two goals, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they failed to notch here, but equally I’m not expecting them to have a bad night at the office.
Under 2.5 Goals is my kind of bet here, and what a pleasure it is to see it priced at 23/20 with BetVictor. Gimme some of that!
TOPICS European Football FootballBest Bets
Atletico Madrid v Olympiakos – Atletico Madrid -1 (21/20 BetVictor)
Malmo v Juventus – Under 2.5 Goals (23/20 BetVictor)
