The column was denied a 6/1 winner in injury-time on Sunday as Eden Hazard struck for Chelsea to peg Wolves back at Stamford Bridge. It’s all about the Champions League again this week however with some huge games, including Liverpool’s trip to Bayern Munich.
Running total: -£53.40
The Banker
Liverpool head to Bayern Munich with their round-of-16 clash against on a knife edge following that goalless first leg. The Reds have been a bit erratic of late, dropping points against Everton, Manchester United and West Ham. In contrast, Bayern have battled their way back to the top of the Bundesliga (albeit on goal difference). One gets the feeling Liverpool are running into Bayern at the wrong time here, even though they will have Virgil van Dijk back for the second leg. Bayern beat Wolfsburg 6-0 at the weekend and have an additional 24 hours to prepare for the game, with Liverpool’s 4-2 over Burnley coming on Sunday. The hosts can be backed at 11/10 to win and that looks a solid call given their fine European record at the Allianz Arena.
Selection: £6 on Bayern Munich to win at 11/10 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
Roma need to beat lowly Empoli on Monday evening if they are serious about a top-four finish in Serie A and Edin Dzeko could hold the key to their chances. The Bosnian has hit an impressive 60 goals in 105 Serie A matches since joining from Manchester City and is a 7/2 poke to score first at the Stadio Olimpico.
Selection: £2 on Dzeko to score first at 7/2 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Manchester City should finish the job against Schalke this week and look a bet at even money to ‘win both halves’ at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s side won 3-2 in Germany despite having a man sent off and with Raheem Sterling in red-hot form they should be too good for Die Knappen, who are 14th in the Bundesliga. As stated we like the look of Bayern Munich at 11/10 to edge past Liverpool while adding Juventus (8/11) to beat Atletico Madrid offers a Champions League treble paying better than 6/1. The Bianconeri are looking to turn around a 2-0 first-leg deficit and while scoring three goals without reply may just be beyond them, they should get the win against Diego Simeone’s battlers.
Selection: £4 on the treble at 6.25/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Arsenal have their work cut out against Rennes after their 3-1 defeat on French soil in the Europa League. However, the Gunners will be full of confidence after Sunday’s impressive 2-0 win over Manchester United and 7/4 about them winning a game in which both teams find the net on Thursday looks decent. Alexandre Lacazette is suspended once again but Arsenal have plenty of options in attack and Rennes are not the greatest travellers.
Selection: £4 on Arsenal to win and both teams to score at 7/4 with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
Villarreal produced a masterclass away from home against Zenit St Petersburg last week with their 3-1 win putting them firmly in control of the tie. Zenit’s long unbeaten run in the Europa League was ended by some clinical finishing and The Yellow Submarine can complete the job on Thursday. A 2-0 win for the Spanish side is 9/1 with bet365 and looks worth a small interest.
Selection: £1 on Villarreal to win 2-0 at 9/1 with bet365.
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