This Tuesday, we take a look at three mouth-watering encounters set to take place in the UEFA Champions League, providing detailed insights along with betting suggestions for each match.
First, let’s take a look at the latest outright market odds. Liverpool are leading the way as the current favourites at 4/1, closely followed by reigning champions Real Madrid and Arsenal, both priced at 6/1. Barcelona come in next at 13/2, while Manchester City and Bayern Munich are both listed at 7/1. All other contenders are priced at 16/1 or higher.
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MONACO v ASTON VILLA – Click here to bet
Monaco will host Aston Villa at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday evening in a vital UEFA Champions League clash.
Monaco, currently 4th in Ligue 1, will be keen to bounce back after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Montpellier on Friday, leaving them with 32 points in the league. Their Champions League form has been shaky, and they’ll be looking to recover after a tough 3-0 loss to Arsenal in their most recent European outing. With 10 points from six matches, Monaco are 16th in the group, just three points behind the top eight—a position that could grant them automatic progression. Tuesday’s result will be crucial if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Champions League Form: W3 D1 L2
Monaco have shown attacking flair this season, averaging 2 goals per game in Europe, but their defensive issues have been a concern, conceding 1.67 goals per match. Over 2.5 goals have featured in 83% of their Champions League games this season (5 out of 6 matches).
Aston Villa come into this match on the back of a spirited 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday. That result has left the Villains 8th in the Premier League with 36 points, and while they would have hoped to catch the Gunners cold on the day, they remain in a good position domestically. In Europe, Villa have been impressive, collecting 13 points from their opening six matches, including a dramatic 3-2 win away to Leipzig in the previous round, which has placed them 5th on the table. Unai Emery’s side will certainly look to carry their strong European form into this crucial encounter.
Champions League Form: W4 D1 L1
Villa have showcased a balanced approach in Europe, averaging 1.5 goals per game while keeping things tight at the back, conceding just 0.5 per match. Under 2.5 goals have featured in 67% of their fixtures (4 out of 6 matches), reflecting their ability to grind out results when needed.
Head-to-Head
This will mark the first-ever competitive meeting between Monaco and Aston Villa, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this already compelling fixture.
Betting
Monaco 15/10
Draw 26/10
Aston Villa 7/4
Verdict
Both teams will approach this game with different objectives, with Monaco battling to stay in contention for automatic qualification, while Villa looks to solidify their position in the group standings. This one could go either way, but I do expect goals, as it is likely to be a high-scoring affair.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score, Over 2.5 and Yes at 10/11
ATLÉTICO MADRID v BAYER LEVERKUSEN – Click here to bet
Atlético Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen face off at the Metropolitano on Tuesday night in a high-stakes UEFA Champions League Match day 7 clash. With both sides vying for a crucial top eight spot in the standings, expect an intense battle between two in-form teams determined to cement their European ambitions.
Atlético Madrid, who had been on an extraordinary 15-match winning streak in all competitions, saw their momentum abruptly halted over the weekend with a surprising 1-0 defeat away to Leganés in La Liga. That result knocked Diego Simeone’s side off top spot domestically, adding an extra layer going into Tuesday’s European exchange. Sitting 11th in the Champions League table with 12 points, Atlético know how tight the margins are, with just a single point separating them from a top eight position.
Champions League Form: W4 D0 L2
The Red and Whites have had a mixed campaign in Europe, currently sitting 11th in the Champions League standings with 12 points. They have averaged 2.33 goals per game while conceding 1.67, highlighting their attacking prowess but also exposing defensive weaknesses. In their most recent Champions League match, they secured a solid 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava. A strong performance will be crucial on Tuesday as Simeone’s men aim to build on their recent European form and take another step toward the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen arrive in Madrid brimming with confidence following a commanding 3-1 home victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga. That win extended their sensational run to 12 consecutive victories across all competitions, solidifying their position in 2nd place domestically, just four points behind Bayern Munich.
Champions League Form: W4 D1 L1
In Europe, the German side has shown their defensive solidity in recent outings, earning back-to-back clean sheets. Their latest European triumph came in a gritty 1-0 win against Inter Milan, emphasizing their ability to manage tight games. Currently 4th in the Champions League standings with 13 points, Leverkusen average 2 goals per game while conceding just 0.83—a well-rounded performance that has made them one of the tournament’s standout teams this season.
Head-to-Head
These two teams have crossed paths eight times in the Champions League, with Atlético holding the upper hand with three wins compared to Leverkusen’s two. Their most recent encounter came in the 2022/23 Champions League group stage, where Leverkusen secured a 2-0 victory at home with both teams sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw in Madrid.
Betting
Atlético Madrid 29/20
Draw 23/10
Bayer Leverkusen 2/1
Verdict
This encounter has all the makings of a classic. Atlético may have the home advantage but will certainly be tested against a Leverkusen side currently in red-hot form. With both teams possessing potent attacking threats and so much at stake, an evenly matched contest is likely, potentially going down to the wire. Goals from both sides seem probable, and for that reason, I’ll be backing the goals market, which appears to be decently priced all things considered.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score, Yes at 5/6
BENFICA v BARCELONA – Click here to bet
All eyes will be on Estádio da Luz this Tuesday as Benfica and Barcelona face off in a crucial Champions League Match-day 7 encounter. With both sides pushing for their place in the top spots, this promises to be a game full of energy, drama, and goals.
Benfica come into this one buzzing with confidence after a commanding 4-0 win over Famalicão in the Primeira Liga. That result not only kept them in 2nd place with 41 points but also extended their winning run to four matches across all competitions. In Europe, they’ve been steady, picking up a valuable four points from their last two games, including a solid 0-0 draw at home against Bologna on Match day 6.
Champions League Form: W3 D1 L2
Currently sitting 15th in the Champions League standings with 10 points, the Eagles face an uphill battle to break into the top eight. Benfica has netted 10 goals (an average of 1.67 per game) while conceding 7 (1.17 per game), with over 2.5 goals occurring in 67% of their fixtures. Backed by their passionate home supporters, they will be keen to prove they can stand toe-to-toe with Europe’s finest.
Barcelona, meanwhile, arrive in Lisbon after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Getafe in La Liga—a result that left them in 3rd place with 39 points. Despite the slip, Hansi Flick’s side remains unbeaten in their last five outings, racking up four wins and showcasing the kind of form that makes them a serious threat in Europe.
Champions League Form: W5 D0 L1
In the Champions League, Barcelona has been electric. They’re 2nd in the standings with 15 points and come into this one riding a five-game winning streak, most recently edging past Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on Match-day 6. Their attack has been on fire, racking up an incredible 21 goals at an average of 3.5 per game. They’ve also conceded 7 goals, but with every match featuring over 2.5 goals, Barca games have been anything but boring.
Head-to-Head
These two sides last faced each other in the 2021/22 group stage, where Benfica delivered a stunning 3-0 victory over Barcelona in Lisbon, followed by a hard-fought goalless draw at Camp Nou. Across their nine total meetings in this competition, Benfica hold the edge with three wins, four draws, and just two losses.
Betting
Benfica 12/5
Draw 16/5
Barcelona 19/20
Verdict
This is shaping up to be a cracking contest. Benfica will lean on their home form and recent success to push for a result, while Barcelona’s relentless attack makes them the favourites. Expect fireworks from both sides, but Barcelona’s cutting edge in front of goal might just be the difference.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Barcelona at 19/20
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
