Champions League Betting – Match Day Six Wednesday

GROUP E
Liverpool v Fiorentina
Lyon v Debrecen
The only that is left to be decided in Group E of the Champions League this season, is who finishes top. The Viola of Fiorentina are in pole position going into Wednesday’s round of matches, enjoying a two point cushion over French outfit Lyon. A draw should just about be good enough for Fiorentina to go through to the next round with the benefit of being drawn at home for winning the group. Lyon have the easiest of the games, against bottom side Debrecen who haven’t managed to muster up a point yet, despite giving Liverpool some scares along the way in their encounters. This is an unexpected result to this group, as Liverpool were strong favourites going into the competition, but the sparkling form of Fiorentina has largely turned the group on its head. Lyon is a good European side and as expected will take their place in the next round. Liverpool, with only two wins are concreted into third place, which means that they cannot progress because of Lyon’s far superior goal difference, despite the clubs being able to end up on the same points if Lyon happen to lose while the Reds thump Fiorentina by a good six or seven goal margin. It isn’t going to happen, so the only action Liverpool are going to see in Europe in the new year, is in the Europa League, which is the consolation prize for finishing third.

Liverpool to win: 11/10 at Bet365
Draw: 12/5 at SkyBet
Fiorentina to win: 14/5 at ExtraBet

Lyon to win: 2/9 at Expekt
Draw: 11/2 at Totesport
Debrecen to win: 14/1 at SkyBet

GROUP F
Inter Milan v Rubin Kazan
Dynamo Kiev v Barcelona
The best group of the Champions League this year without doubt, both in quality and excitement. Barcelona scored a huge 2-0 win over Inter Milan on Match Day five, which essentially not only kept their Champions League alive, but also put them in pole position in Group F. This group has been so tight, with a plethora of draws, some of them unexpected. Rubin Kazan held Inter Milan, and the Russian Champions also beat the mighty Barcelona in one of the shocks of the competition. All of this means that anyone can still qualify from Group F though, with Barcelona on 8, Inter Milan on 6, Rubin Kazan on 6 and Dynamo Kiev on 5. So, if the Ukrainians beat Champions League holders Barcelona and someone wins in out of Inter and Rubin, then those winners will go through with Barcelona. However if Inter and Rubin only draw (both have drawn three of their five matches already), and Dynamo win, then Dynamo and Barcelona go through. It all boils down to the fact that Dynamo, above all need a big win. They won’t overtake Barcelona’s goal difference despite finishing on the same points as them if they win. So that means Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan could get through with just a draw as long as Dynamo don’t win. Inter, Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev all have the same -1 goal difference. Anything could happen in this group, and Barcelona didn’t have any problems getting past Dynamo Kiev on Match Day when they won 2-0. It was the Russian Champions Rubin Kazan, who have recently reclaimed the title, who gave Barcelona all of their problems, and could threaten Inter Milan’s progress. Keep an eye on this group, it could be an explosive finish.

Inter Milan to win: 8/15 at Victor Chandler
Draw: 16/5 at SkyBet
Rubin Kazan to win: 7/1 at SkyBet

Dynamo Kiev to win: 5/1 at Victor Chandler
Draw: 11/4 at Boylesports
Barcelona to win: 4/6 at Paddy Power

GROUP G
Stuttgart v Unirea Urziceni
Sevilla v Rangers
German side Stuttgart going into their final Champions League match under the guidance of a new manager. Christian Gross, who will be remembered, or not as the case may be, for his days at Premier League side Tottenham, has taken over at the helm due to Stuttgart’s stuttering season. He replaces Marcus Babbel. They are the only ones who can stop a surprise entity qualifying for the knockout stages, as Dan Petrescu’s Unirea Urziceni stand on the threshold of making history. Spaniards Sevilla top the group and have looked a class act, up until Match Day Five, when they suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat against the Romanians. That win for Petrescu’s men saw them take control in second place, two points behind Sevilla and two ahead of Stuttgart. So, just a draw for Unirea Urziceni  against Stuttgart will see them qualify with the Spaniards. Sevilla host Rangers, who they thrashed 4-1 at Ibrox, so in all probability it’ll be another tough night for the Scots. Rangers have shipped 12 goals and have only picked up two points in a disappointing Champions League campaign, and cannot even finish in third place which would have extended their European season. Whether or not Unirea Urziceni can make it to the knock-out stages is one of the biggest questions of the night on Wednesday. It would be a fantastic achievement, and standing on two wins and two drawn matches, they are there on credit having played both competitive and slick football.

Stuttgart to win: 8/13 at BetFred
Draw: 11/4 at William Hill
Unirea Urziceni to win: 11/2 at SkyBet

Sevilla to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Draw: 4/1 at BetFred
Rangers to win: 10/1 at Stan James

GROUP H
Olympiacos v Arsenal
Standard Liege v AZ Alkmaar
Arsenal have this league sewn up, without being caused too much bother. Now it is all down to who can finish second in Group H and join them in the next round. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for Olympiacos, they get to finish their Group Matches against Arsenal. The Gunners beat them 2-0 at the Emirates, but have shown their vulnerability lately, and Arsene Wenger is fighting a back log of injuries after losing most notably, Tomas Rosicky to injury on the weekend. With knocks picked up by several other players as well, and missing top striker Robin Van Persie, Wenger will be scratching his head, but will be thankful that Arsenal don’t need to do anything in Wednesday’s game. Olympiacos could benefit greatly, if Wenger throws his youngsters into action, for the Gunners have a big game against Liverpool in the Premier League on the weekend. Belgians Standard Liege are the only team who can catch Olympiacos in second place, but they will need a win over disappointing Dutch side AZ Alkmaar to do so. A win for Standard Liege and Arsenal, could put Olympiacos in peril, as it will come down to goal difference, and Standard have a slight advantage in that department. Olympiacos have struggled for goals, and they will need to break out on Wednesday night to try and progress in the Champions league. Anything less than a win for Standard Liege will leave them short, and a defeat would mean that they will get pushed out of third place altogether.

Olympiacos to win: 11/10 at William Hill
Draw: 23/10 at Boylesports
Arsenal to win: 10/3 at Coral

Standard Liege to win: 18/19 at Expekt
Draw: 12/5 at Ladbrokes
AZ Alkmaar to win: 10/3 at BetFred