11/12/07 19:45 Chelsea v Valencia 1.83 3.60 5.10
11/12/07 19:45 FC Porto v Besiktas JK 1.48 4.50 9.00
11/12/07 19:45 FC Schalke 04 v Rosenborg BK 1.40 4.75 10.00
11/12/07 19:45 Olympiakos Piraeus FC v SV Werder Bremen 2.80 3.40 2.50
11/12/07 19:45 Olympique Marseille v Liverpool 5.00 3.55 1.83
11/12/07 19:45 Real Madrid v SS Lazio 1.44 4.75 9.20
12/12/07 19:45 AS Roma v Manchester United FC 2.07 3.40 4.25
12/12/07 19:45 Arsenal v FC Steaua Bucuresti 1.30 6.00 14.80
12/12/07 19:45 FC Barcelona v Vfb Stuttgart 1.50 4.20 7.60
12/12/07 19:45 Fenerbache SK v CSKA Moscow 1.31 5.00 11.80
12/12/07 19:45 Glasgow Rangers FC v Olympique Lyonnais 3.40 3.30 2.38
12/12/07 19:45 PSV Eindhoven v Internazionale Milano 2.17 3.50 3.60
12/12/07 19:45 SK Slavia Praha v Sevilla FC 4.65 3.50 1.91
12/12/07 19:45 Sporting Lisbon v Dynamo Kiev 1.65 3.75 6.50
I know it's a bit of a dead rubber for both sides, but I've already gone for a decent sized bet on Roma to beat Man Utd.
With the game coming up against Liverpool next weekend, Ferguson isn't likely to want to risk his big name players on such a meaningless game. He's shown in previous seasons that when it comes to pretty meaningless games, he's more than happy to give the kids a run out.
I'm not sure what kind of team Roma will put out, but I don't think they'll want to be losing at home to United. The game after this they've got a tough match at Torino, but I don't think they'll rest too many players.
Roma AH(-0.5) v Manchester United @ 2.05 (Bet365) 5/10 points
Unable to beat Coventry City in the Carling Cup earlier this season, United's youngsters will now be handed the task of toppling Italian giants AS Roma.
A number of first-team regulars are expected to be left behind when the Reds fly to Rome on Tuesday morning for the following night's Champions League group match, leaving room for some of Sir Alex's younger troops.
"There's no doubt we'll take some young kids," the manager told Manchester United Radio. "We've won the group and Roma are guaranteed second place, so there's no issue with us potentially affecting the outcome of the group.
"We wanted to give the young boys experience playing in the Carling Cup but they let themselves down against Coventry. Now there's a chance for the likes of Jonny Evans, Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson and Chris Eagles to elevate themselves. We know all about their ability but this is an opportunity for them to prove themselves.
"They won't be on their own, though. They'll have back-up from players like John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Louis Saha, Nani and Anderson. Cristiano Ronaldo might possibly be involved as well.
"We're not in the habit of sending teams out to lose. We'll be sending out a time that we think is good enough to win."
I think that is definitely a sensible bet, but remember that Utd played a weakened team against Porto and still won.And what sort of team will Roma play?
I do think that Rangers are a fantastic price for a home game.And they NEED at least a point from this game. Lyon lost to Caen at the weekend and Rangers DID beat them 3-0 in France. With Rangers home form i just have to back them to win.
And it is not just Man Utd that will play weakened teams. Arsenal and Chelsea have already qualifued and have hard games coming up. Both will play reserves. Barcelona too.....
A small stake trixie on Valencia, Stuttgart and Steaua could be extremely profitable. But Stuttgart would be my favourite of the three @ 7.60 and Steau have a great chance. I will have a treble on them on the AH too. Wenger will play kids only i'm sure.
Anyone fancy the 3/1 available on Marseille after Liverpool's horror show at Reading? Marseille have been improving the past few games and seem to be back on track, surely 3/1 is big for a team at home?
Anyone fancy the 3/1 available on Marseille after Liverpool's horror show at Reading? Marseille have been improving the past few games and seem to be back on track, surely 3/1 is big for a team at home?
After Marseille 2-0 win at the weekend I was considering laying Liverpool . Was delaying to see if Crouch starts this match , opponents in Europe struggle to cope with him.
Anyone fancy the 3/1 available on Marseille after Liverpool's horror show at Reading? Marseille have been improving the past few games and seem to be back on track, surely 3/1 is big for a team at home?
Marseille likely only need a draw to qualify (unless Besiktas win at Porto), so the +3/4 may be a smarter bet.
Not sure why Shalke are favoured by 1.5 goals against Rosenborg. Other than the match against Chelsea, Rosenborg have shown they have a decent defense and can upset anyone. Plus Shalke have scored just 2 in the 5 group matches.
Also like Porto -1.25. Both teams need a win, but Porto are strong at home and Besiktas are weak away. There is also a big difference in quality between the two. Porto should win by a couple of goals.
I'm already on Porto/Schalke double. Both at home and both playing matches they must win.
Cauldn't bet on Liverpool at odds against. OK Marseille aren't doing great domestically but they've already turned them over at Anfield and will be quietly confident after Liverpools poor show at the weekend.
Liverpool definately have the class to beat them but not at odds on.
Hope you don't mind me posting some thoughts from my blog...
There’s just 6 games tonight in the final Matchday of the Champions League Group Stages as AC Milan and Celtic both secured their final 16 places last week. With Chelsea already through the pressure is on Liverpool to make it through to keep a British clean sweep a possibility.
The Reds have a tough task. They must win in Marseille to absolutely guarantee qualification (a draw would suffice if Besiktas manage to shock Porto away from home). They face a Marseille team who’s form has improved of late but they still languish in 13th position in Ligue 1. Liverpool, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat of the domestic campaign on Saturday, surprisingly losing away to Reading. It was interesting to hear Rafa Benitez comment “We know how to play under pressure. If you want to win trophies, you must play in finals. And for us, this is like a final”. He is right of course and I think these are the types of games Liverpool excel in. Remember their dramatic victories on the road to Instanbul in 2005? It seems Rafa can motivate them to raise their game when it really matters and man for man I think they’re a better side than Marseille. The 7/2 on Marseille to win at home is tasty, but it is a game that they don’t even have to win to steer well clear of that one. Instead I like the look of the 10/11 (BetDirect, Boylesports) on Liverpool to win.
Porto already lead Group A and another 3 points against Besiktas will secure the coveted top spot. Given the Turk’s abject performances away from home so far this campaign (0-2 v Marseille, 0-8 v Liverpool), Porto should win this one. For me they’re too short at 4/9 (Bet365, BetDirect, Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Skybet, Stan James) to back though.
On the face of it the transition from Jose Mourinho to Avram Grant at Chelsea has almost gone unnoticed. Steady performances and progress in the Champions League haven’t quite had fans saying ‘Jose who?’ but they do seem a team capable of mounting a serious European challenge again this season. Tonight they host Valencia who need a win to stand any chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Chelsea are already through as group winners so we can expect a few changes tonight. I never bet on games where teams don’t need to win - you never know what their mindset is - so will be leaving this one alone.
Despite a great campaign so far, Rosenborg could end up with just the UEFA Cup last 32 as their reward. Tonight they need just a point from their game against against Schalke to make the last 16. The Germans are hot favourites at the bookies and the best price available is 4/11 (Bet365, BetDirect, Betfred, BlueSq, Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Skybet, Stan James). The Norwegians will be determined not to fall at the final hurdle but I won’t be backing them to win (even at 8/1 with Coral and PartyBets), instead I’ll be looking to the Asian Handicap market where they can be backed with a +1.5 goal of a start at 39/40 with Betfred. Meaning that even if they get beat by a single goal our bet will stay pay out.
The most intriguing group is Group C, where all 4 teams can qualify. Favourites are Real Madrid and Olympiakos by virtue that they are at home to the bottom two teams and only need a point to qualify. The results could go either way to be honest so I’m more interested in the totol goals market and fancy a bit of overs in each of them. Real Madrid v Lazio, over 2.5 goals is 8/11 at Stan James and Olympiakos v Werder Bremen, over 2.5 goals is 8/11 at BlueSq.
Don’t forget, you can win a £100 free bet a Paddy Power tonight by entering my exclusive competition here.
porto,schalke,and real madrid strong home wins tonight guys,very weak opponents
for me this treble is enough,
for people like magic and extraordinary things, i like this bet
marseille home win or home,
i think benitez confused soccer with rugby, liverpool looks really ugly in my eyes, i dont take into consideration some 8-0 or 3-0 against newcastle,the team is not well prepaired, not good transfers, exception only is torres,i suggest them to join rugby championship, there they have good chances
marseille is playing very well at the correct timing,olympique marseille give them the lesson!
Champions League - 11/12th Decemeber
