AFTER picking winners galore on Matchday 5, Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) is on the hunt for more on the opening night of the final matchday.
Juventus v Atletico Madrid | Tuesday 19:45 | Sky Interactive
What a fantastic match to sign off Group A with! With 12 points already in the bag, Atletico Madrid need just a draw to win the group and theoretically clinch an easier Last 16 tie. For Juventus though, the stakes are a lot higher in this game.
When the draw was made, this group was expected to be dominated by these clubs, but both have had problems dealing with Olympiakos. The Greek side beat both these clubs in Piraeus, and with Juventus losing also in Madrid in October, it means the Italians need to get something from this game to assure qualification.
The betting is certainly weighted in favour of Juventus picking up the three points, they’re best price 6/5 with Ladbrokes to win. That’s not a price I can entertain.
I think there a few reasons to suggest that Atletico can get something from this game. The main one being that I feel they’re a better side than Juventus. While Atletico were minutes away from winning last season’s Champions League, Juventus exited before Christmas in a group featuring FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Many suspected Atletico might regress this season after losing a clutch of their title winning players but that simply hasn’t happened. Diego Simeone’s side lie third in La Liga and have won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions. They’ll be keen to win the group and be a top seed in the knockout stage draw. To achieve that for sure, they need something from this game.
I’m backing Atletico +1 in this fixture at 3/4 with Boylesports. The lure of finishing top will guide them to a result here.
Olympiakos v Malmo | Tuesday 19:45 | Sky Interactive
I may have mentioned in the past how much I admire Olympiakos. They’ve been a fantastic team to side with so far in this competition and have delivered the goods twice at big prices on home turf.
The Greek side have beaten Atletico Madrid and Juventus in Piraeus in this group and will surely be too strong for Malmo. Michel’s side must win to have any chance of qualifying for the Last 16 and that’s something I think they’ll do here.
Olympiakos have now won their last five home Champions League fixtures. As well as Atletico and Juventus, you can add Manchester United, Benfica and Anderlecht to the list. Malmo should worry.
The Swedes did superb by getting this far in the competition, but they haven’t scored now since October 1st. On their travels they’ve leaked seven goals in two games, with no goal scored.
It’s all about Olympiakos for me here. They need to win to maintain any knockout stage hopes and they’re up against a side who have nothing to play for and struggle away from home. It’s Olympiakos -1 at 11/10 for me. Very nice of Paddy Power to go odds-against on that.
TOPICS European Football FootballBest Bets
Juventus v Atletico Madrid – Atletico Madrid +1 (3/4 Boylesports)
Olympiakos v Malmo – Olympiakos -1 (11/10 Paddy Power)
