This Wednesday, we shift our focus to three exciting UEFA Champions League matchups, delivering detailed analysis and betting suggestions for each game.
We begin by reviewing the latest outright market odds. Liverpool lead the pack at 9/2, with Manchester City and Arsenal closely following at 6/1 each. Barcelona and current reigning champions, Real Madrid, are next at 7/1, while Bayern Munich is priced at 15/2. All other contenders are available at 16/1 or higher.
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ARSENAL v MONACO – Click here to bet
Arsenal will host Monaco at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League clash. The Gunners are currently 3rd in the Premier League, having secured a 1-1 draw away at Fulham over the weekend. Despite the disappointing result, Mikel Arteta’s side will be eager to return to winning ways in Europe and continue their strong campaign.
In the Champions League, Arsenal have made a solid start, sitting 7th in the standings with 10 points from their opening five matches. With the top eight guaranteed to qualify for the next round, the Gunners are well-positioned to advance. In the previous round, Arsenal were dominant on the road, demolishing Sporting Lisbon 5-1. This week, they return to London, where they are yet to drop points, having won both of their European exchanges at the Emirates this season—perhaps a warning of what Monaco can expect on Wednesday.
Champions League Form: W3 D1 L1
This season, Arsenal average 1.6 goals per game in Europe, while conceding just 0.4. In 80% of their matches overall (4 out of 5), under 2.5 goals have delivered.
AS Monaco, meanwhile, are currently 3rd in Ligue 1, coming off a dominant 2-0 win at home against Toulouse over the weekend, which brought them to 29 points in the domestic standings. Their form in the Champions League has been equally impressive, as they sit in 8th place in the group with 10 points, just separated from Arsenal on goal difference.
Monaco have registered 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat in their opening five matches and will be looking to secure another positive result in London. However, their most recent European outing ended in a 3-2 defeat at home to Benfica, a result that left them with plenty to reflect on ahead of this crucial away fixture. Despite that loss, Monaco’s strong overall campaign has kept them in contention, and they will be aiming to bounce back this week in the Champions League.
Champions League Form: W3 D1 L1
This season, Monaco are averaging 2.4 goals per game in Europe, while conceding an average of 1.4. Over 2.5 goals have featured in 80% of their encounters (4 out of 5 matches).
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met just twice on the European stage, with Monaco claiming a 3-1 victory in London, while Arsenal returned the favour with a 2-0 win in the reverse encounter during the 2014/15 round of 16.
Betting
Arsenal 1/3
Draw 9/2
Monaco 17/2
Verdict
Despite both teams heading into Week 6 in Europe separated only by goal difference, I’m backing the Gunners to walk away as comfortable winners this week. With the advantage of playing at home and greater cohesion in attack, Arsenal have looked solid defensively in Europe, while Monaco have been far less convincing in that department.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Arsenal -1.5 at 9/10
BORUSSIA DORTMUND v BARCELONA – Click here to bet
Borussia Dortmund will welcome Barcelona to Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday evening for a thrilling UEFA Champions League showdown. Dortmund, currently 6th in the Bundesliga, are coming off a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Borussia Monchengladbach over the weekend, a result that keeps them within touching distance of the top four domestically.
In the Champions League, Dortmund have secured four wins from a possible five, their most recent being a 3-0 victory away to Dinamo Zagreb. This places the Black and Yellows just beneath Wednesday’s opponents, Barcelona, in 4th position with 12 points. Alongside Barcelona, both sides remain in contention for automatic qualification, but with only two points separating them from 12th place, Wednesday’s showdown becomes even more crucial for both teams.
Champions League Form: W4 D0 L1
This season, Borussia Dortmund average 3.2 goals per game in Europe while conceding an average of 1.2. Over 2.5 goals have featured in 80% of those encounters overall (4 out of 5 matches).
Barcelona arrive in Dortmund currently sitting 1st in La Liga, despite another dramatic weekend in which the Catalan giants drew 2-2 away to Real Betis. While they hold a 2-point lead at the summit with 38 points, it has been a disappointing period for Barcelona, particularly domestically, where they have secured just one win from their last five league appearances.
The Blaugrana have been superb in the Champions League so far, sitting 3rd in the standings with 12 points from a possible 15. Despite opening their European account with a defeat, it has been a strong response ever since from Hansi Flick’s side, who have secured four consecutive wins, most recently a clinical 3-0 victory over Brest at home. With momentum firmly on their side, Barcelona will certainly be eyeing another crucial victory in Dortmund to further solidify their qualification hopes in a bid to maintain their strong grip in Europe.
Champions League Form: W4 D0 L1
This season, Barcelona average 3.6 goals per game in Europe while conceding an average of 1 per game. Over 2.5 goals have featured in 100% of those encounters overall (5 out of 5 matches).
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met four times overall on the European stage, including twice in the Champions League. In the 2019/20 campaign, they played out a 0-0 draw in this fixture, while Barcelona secured a 3-1 victory in the reverse encounter.
Betting
Borussia Dortmund 23/10
Draw 29/10
Barcelona 21/20
Verdict
Based on current form and recent results, this fixture has all the ingredients of a high-scoring affair. Dortmund will certainly look to capitalize on home ground advantage, but with Barcelona in impressive form, having won four consecutive matches in Europe, Hansi Flick’s side are likely to come away with something from the game in Dortmund.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Both Teams to Score, Draw/Barcelona and Yes at 17/20
JUVENTUS v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Juventus will host Manchester City at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday night in a crucial UEFA Champions League fixture. Both sides have faced recent struggles in their respective leagues and Europe, making this meeting all the more significant as they look to get their campaigns back on track. The Black and Whites are currently 6th in Serie A with 27 points after a 2-2 draw at home to Bologna over the weekend, marking their fourth consecutive draw in all competitions. While they remain unbeaten in their last nine matches, they have managed to secure just two victories during this run.
In the Champions League, Juventus sit 19th with 8 points, coming off back-to-back draws, including a frustrating 0-0 draw away to Aston Villa in their most recent European encounter. Despite their defensive resilience, the Bianconeri will need to find a way to turn their solid performances into wins, especially in this high-stakes clash with the Citizens.
Champions League Form: W2 D2 L1
This season, Juventus average 1.4 goals per game in Europe while conceding an average of 1 per game. Under 2.5 goals have featured in 60% of those encounters overall (3 out of 5 matches).
Manchester City, meanwhile, have endured a turbulent period, recently slipping to 4th place in the Premier League following a 2-2 draw away to Crystal Palace. Their form has been inconsistent, and this has carried over into their European campaign.
City are winless in their last two Champions League matches, and currently languish in 17th place with 8 points in the competition, following their disappointing 3-3 draw at home to Feyenoord after initially taking a commanding 3-0 lead. City’s attacking prowess is undeniable, but their defensive lapses have cost them valuable points, both in the league and Europe. Pep Guardiola’s side will be desperate to respond with a statement of some sort, but it certainly won be easy given current run of form.
Champions League Form: W2 D2 L1
This season, Manchester City average 2.6 goals per game in Europe while conceding an average of 1.4. Over 2.5 goals have featured in 80% of those encounters overall (4 out of 5 matches).
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met six times on the European stage, including twice in the Champions League. In the 2015/16 campaign, Juventus completed a double over Manchester City, winning 2-1 in the reverse encounter before securing a 1-0 victory in this fixture.
Betting
Juventus 28/10
Draw 5/2
Manchester City 21/20
Verdict
Given how challenging this one appears to be on the outright, I quite like the prospect of both teams finding the net. Despite averaging over two goals per game in the Champions League, the Citizens have struggled defensively, failing to keep consecutive clean sheets in their last two European outings, potentially providing the hosts with an opportunity to capitalize on recent defensive lapses.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to score, Yes at 17/20
Click here for all of this week’s European football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
