REAL MADRID v APOEL
Wednesday 13th September 2017 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League Betting Tips
The other match in Group H on matchday one in the Champions League group stage features the title holders, Real Madrid, taking on Cypriot outfit, APOEL Nicosia at their Estadio Santiago Bernabéu as Real Madrid begin their defence of this coveted elite european trophy.
Real Madrid actually finished runners-up in last season’s Group F to Borussia Dortmund, but then quickly moved through the gears in the knockout rounds to eventually lift the Champions League crown by beating Italian side Juventus 4-1 in the final.
Real Madrid saw off the likes of Napoli, Bayern Munich and Spanish counterparts, Atletico Madrid to reach the final, and withe attacking trio of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema in harness along with a 15 match unbeaten run on home turf in this competition, the hosts are in the driving seat here.
APOEL Nicosia have had to play several qualifying ties in this year’s Champions League to even reach the group stages as they entered this season’s competition at the second qualifying round where they began their campaign with a 2-0 aggregate win over Luxembourg side, F91 Dudelange.
The Cypriots then negotiated their way through the third qualifying round with a 4-1 aggregate win over Romanian side, Viitorul to make it through to the play-offs. A 2-0 aggregate win over Slavia Prague secured their passage through to the group stages, but their results away from home at this level leave a lot to be desired.
APOEL have recorded just two away wins from their last 21 Champions League ties on their travels, and have failed to score in 12 of these, so a trip to face the current Champions League title holders is a daunting prospect I fancy.
Pick: Real Madrid to win to nil @ 1.67 Sportingbet
