Tony T's Champions League Preview

Champions League
Tuesday 25th February

Zenit St Petersburg v Borussia Dortmund, Kick-Off 17:00

Zenit qualify for the knockout stages of this year Champions League with only 6 points and winning only one game of the group stages, and are yet to win at home in this year’s competition. Dortmund won their group on goal difference with a late winning goal from Grosskreutz back in December.

Scoring goals in the Champions League has been a problem for Zenit, which is a surprise as they have scored 40 goals in 19 games in their domestic league. The Russian Premier League appears to Zenit’s main priority this season. They currently sit second on goal difference, and are battling the 4 Moscow clubs for the title. Dortmund will progress from this tie and have the class to win in this game. The 4/5 generally available on Dortmund is the bet for me in this match.

Olympiacos v Manchester United, Kick-Off 19:45

Manchester United have been better in the Champions League this year than in the Premier League. Unbeaten in the group, winning 4 matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding just 3 goals. If United replicated this form in the Premier League manager Moyes would have come under less pressure this season.

The “Village” have United small favourites in the match, but Olympiakos will be no pushover in this game. They qualified from the group stages on goal difference, beating experienced European campaigners Benfica, with their only losses coming against big spending PSG.

A draw would be a good result for both sides and 12/5 is generally available, and a sell on Total Goals Minutes at 116 could also prove profitable.

Wednesday 26th February

Galatasaray v Chelsea, Kick-Off 19:45

Chelsea are worthy favourites in this match, their only slip-up in group qualification came home and away to Basel. Galatasaray on the other hand booked their place in the last 16 with a late goal from Wesley Sneijder against Juventus in their last game.

The main talking point in this game will be former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba playing his former club. Not as prolific as in previous years, Drogba has scored 8 goals in 27 appearances this season in all competitions. However, he is still a handful for any defender and will cause problems for Chelsea in front of the partisan Galatasaray supporters.

Chelsea have improved as the season has gone on, and with master tactician Jose Mourinho; expect Chelsea to give very little away in this game. A late goal would not be unexpected so a small wager buying Chelsea goal minutes at 78 could be profitable

Schalke 04 v Real Madrid, Kick-Off 19:45

Nine-time European champions Real Madrid travel to Schalke and the general consensus within the betting community is an easy victory for La Liga table toppers. However, Los Merengugues have only won once against German opposition in Germany in 25 attempts. Madrid’s only victory was against Leverkusen in the group stages on the Champions League in the 2000/01 season. Their record in Germany is played 25, lost 18, and drawn 6.

Schalke sit 4th in the German Bundesliga, 21 points behind leaders Bayern Munich, but only 2 points behind 2nd place Bayer Leverkusen. Their domestic form has been consistent rather than spectacular, and there was a scare during the group stages of the Champions League with back to back defeats against Chelsea and a goalless draw against Steaua Bucharest before securing qualification by beating Basel in their final home game of the group stages.

The generally available 4/9 for a Madrid victory doesn’t appear as attractive when looking at all the facts. Carlo Ancelloti is an experienced European operator and knows the tie doesn’t have to be won in Germany. Therefore, the 4/1 for the draw appears to be the bet to have in this match and for the extra value junkies out there, 20/1 for the 0-0 correct score.

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.