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GROUP A
Bayern Munich v Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa v Juventus

Out of a group which contains Juventus and Bayern Munich, you would not be expecting French side Bordeaux to be topping the group at the half way stage. But that is the exact situation, as Laurent Blanc’s side travel to Bayern Munich to try and press home the advantage they have gained for themselves. Undefeated so far, Bordeaux pulled out a momentous 2-1 victory over Bayern on Match day three, which saw them jump ahead of the Germans in Group A. They have managed to open up a two points lead over Juventus, and with Juve being expected to win their game against lowly Maccabi Haifa, the Munich v Bordeaux game is one of the biggest games of the night. Another defeat for the German giants and they would be clinging onto a qualification place with their very fingernails, and would need to pull out a positive result against Juventus down the line. The defeat against Bordeaux would really have hurt Bayern, but after seeing how well Bordeaux performed against Juventus, they need to be seen a quite a threat. Maybe not as much of a threat overall as French counterparts Lyon in the competition, but they look as if they can hold their own. This is a big match for Blanc’s men now, for a win would all but  guarantee them a place in the next round.

Group A
Bordeaux – P3    W2    D1    L0    Pts7
Juventus – P3    W1    D2    L0    Pts5
Bayern – P3    W1    D1    L1    Pts4
Maccabi Haifa – P3    W0    D0    L3    Pts0

Match Prices
Bayern Munich to win: 4/5 at Bet365
Draw: 13/5 at SkyBet
Bordeaux to win: 4/1 at BetFred

Maccabi Haifa to win: 6/1 at SkyBet
Draw: 11/4 at Bet365
Juventus to win: 8/13 at Extrabet

Betting tips:
Bayern to win 2-1: 8/1 at Boylesports
Juventus to win 1-0: 11/2 at 888Sport

TO WIN GROUP A
Bordeaux – 6/4 at Totesport
Juventus – 2/1 at Coral
Bayern Munich – 5/2 at Victor Chandler
Maccabi Haifa – 1500/1 at Bet365

GROUP B
Manchester United v CSKA Moscow
Besiktas v Wolfsburg

This group should pretty much be done and dusted with regards the winners, come the end of Match day four. Even with their injuries, and the new father Wayne Rooney missing from the line-up, this should be another uneventful, Manchester United European performance. Even though they have not at any point looked their explosive and powerful best, they have been the job done on the large part, and even a below par United should have enough in the tank at Old Trafford to beat CSKA. Not that CSKA are a bad side or anything, although they are nowhere near winning their domestic league. CSKA have been outclassed by both Manchester United and Wolfsburg in the Champions League, and a win for the Moscow side would add a little bit of interest into a group, which is likely only to play out one way, with United winning and Germans Wolfsburg finishing second. Wolfsburg travel to bottom side Besiktas, as they look to continue their European adventure. There was always the chance, out of all of the new sides in the Champions League this term, that Wolfsburg were going to prove the biggest threat. Besiktas, who did give Manchester United at tough time, gained their first point of their campaign in Germany, holding the hosts to a 0-0 draw, which was some feat considering the fire power that Wolfsburg have at their disposal. If they want to be real challengers, then this is exactly the type of game which the Germans need to polish off without any fuss. If they fail to win on Tuesday night, then it could seriously impede their chances of progress. A must win.

Group B
Man. United – P3    W3    D0    L0    Pts9
Wolfsburg – P3    W1    D1    L1    Pts4
CSKA Moscow – P3    W1    D0    L2    Pts3
Besiktas – P3    W0    D1    L2    Pts1

Match Prices
Manchester United to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Draw: 4/1 at Boylesports
CSKA Moscow to win: 10/1 at BetFred

Besiktas to win: 7/4 at Paddy Power
Draw: 12/5 at SkyBet
Wolfsburg to win: 8/5 at Bet365

Betting tips:
Manchester United to win 2-0: 11/2 at Ladbrokes
Wolfsburg to win 2-1: 9/1 at Sporting Bet

TO WIN GROUP B
Manchester United – 1/50 at Bet365
Wolfsburg – 25/1 at Paddy Power
CSKA Moscow – 40/1 at Paddy Power
Besiktas – 250/1 at Paddy Power

GROUP C
AC Milan v Real Madrid
Marseille v FC Zurich

Unquestionably the game of Match day four takes place on Tuesday night in Milan. Struggling for league form to contend against city rivals Inter at the top of Serie A, AC Milan pulled out their best performance of the Champions League this year, to beat Madrid 3-2 on Match day three. This was one of the classic Champions League fixtures, in clearly one of the most exciting groups. Striker Raul scored his 66th European goal as he opened the scoring, but two goals in four minutes saw Milan take the lead in the second half. After a Madrid equaliser from Drenthe, it was an 88th minute winner from Pato which sealed the dramatic win for the Rossoneri. Real Madrid apparently know how to put on a show, having scored 10 goals in their first three fixtures, with 5-3 and 3-0 wins, followed up by the five goals thriller against Milan. Both sides are sat on 6 points in the group , but Milan definitely have the edge going forward with Raul, Benzema, Kaka, Ronaldo, Van Nistlerooy and Alonso to name but a few. The result in the corresponding Match day three fixture was somewhat of a surprise, and it has kept the group alive. With Ronaldinho and Fillipo Inzaghi leading the forward line, another win back in the San Siro for AC Milan, who have agreed a deal to bring David Beckham back on loan in January, would really set the cat amongst the pigeons. It could allow third placed Marseille to draw level on points with Milan. Marseille entertain the gutsy Champions League debutants FC Zurich. Remember that it was the Zurich men who pulled off one the Champions League upsets, as they beat AC Milan 1-0 in Italy. The minnows triumphed with an impetuous back-heeled goal from Finnish player Hannu Tihinen. The Zurich defence did resist an onslaught, but they definitely had their moments going forward, just as they did when they pulled two goals back from 3-0 down against Real Madrid. Didier Deschamps will be hoping that his Marseille side, who are down in seventh in the French league, will be seeing this as a real opportunity to mix it with their illustrious group rivals above them. The maths are simple, if there is a winner and loser in AC Milan v Real Madrid match, then a win for Marseille will put them in a good position to some extent, as they will still have the opportunity to take points of both of those teams with the remaining fixtures. It is a big night in Group C.

Group C
Milan – P3    W2    D0    L1    Pts6
Real Madrid – P3    W2    D0    L1    Pts6
Marseille – P3    W1    D0    L2    Pts3
Zürich – P3    W1    D0    L2    Pts3

Match Prices
AC Milan to win: 28/17 at Expekt
Draw: 23/10 at Coral
Real Madrid to win: 7/4 at BetFred

Marseille to win: 3/10 at Bet365
Draw: 9/2 at SkyBet
FC Zurich to win: 12/1 at SkyBet

Betting tips:
Quatro Bet – Real Madrid to win or draw with two or fewer goals scored in the match: 13/8 at Ladbrokes
Over 3.5 goals: 6/4 at Stan James

TO WIN GROUP C
Real Madrid – Evens at William Hill
AC Milan – 11/10 at Totesport
Marseille – 14/1 at Paddy Power
FC Zurich – 200/1 at Paddy Power

GROUP D
APOEL v Porto
Atlético Madrid v Chelsea

Chelsea look to be strides ahead in Group D, and can confirm their progress through the next round with a victory over Atlético Madrid. It is fair to say that the Madrid side have been struggling, as they are in a something of a relegation battle at the foot of the Spanish league. Quique Sánchez Flores has since arrived to coach the team after their 4-0 thumping delivered at Stamford Bridge by Chelsea on Match day three. With Didier Drogba back for Chelsea, there could be another cruise-control game for the Blues, but they will be possibly be facing a new look team, with refreshed tactics from the new coach. There is a long way to go for the Madrid side, but they do have Diego Forlan who can do some damage. But with only one point and no goals scored in the campaign so far, it will require a massive collective effort to overcome Chelsea. The arrival of the fresh coach could be just that spark they need and why not do it against one of the best in Europe. Porto are sitting comfortably in second place in Group D, with two wins from three games. They are three points behind leaders Chelsea, against whom they conceded defeat like so many teams do, at Stamford Bridge. Cypriots APOEL have shown more stubbornness than any flair capable enough of beating anyone else in the group, but there have been some upsets in this Champions League campaign which will give them hope. This could be their night. APOEL battled well when Chelsea visited, but Porto will head into the match knowing that a win will book them a place in the next round of the competition. That should be incentive enough to just go there and get the job done, but  they will be wary of any threat posed by APOEL. Not in great form at the moment, Porto only managed to beat APOEL 2-1 at home, having to stage a comeback after conceding an early own goal. The Porto fight back was led by the incredible Hulk who scored both of Porto‘s goals. It could be a tight night in Cyprus.

Group D
Chelsea – P3    W3    D0    L0    Pts9
Porto- P3    W2    D0    L1    Pts6
APOEL – P3    W0    D1    L2    Pts1
Atlético – P3    W0    D1    L2    Pts1

Match Prices
Atlético Madrid to win: 10/3 at Paddy Power
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Chelsea to win: 10/11 at BetFred

APOEL to win: 9/2 at Sporting Bet
Draw: 11/4 at Coral
Porto to win: 7/10 at Blue Square

Betting tips:
Both Players to Score Bet – Forlan and Drogba: 15/2 at SkyBet
APOEL Draw No Bet: 3/1 at SportingBet

TO WIN GROUP D
Chelsea – 1/12 at Victor Chandler
Porto – 6/1 at Paddy Power
Atletico Madrid – 100/1 at Paddy Power
APOEL – 500/1 at Paddy Power