Champions League: AC Milan will push Barcelona all the way
Published:Barcelona have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League and AC Milan are as good as there – but this still promises to be an intriguing game.
Milan need just a point to guarantee progression but know a win would put them one point ahead of Barca and in a perfect position to finish top of the group and avoid a last 16 clash against a fellow European superpower.
Barca are the big 4/5 favourites for this game but the recent meetings between these sides suggest we could be in for a close game.
The previous two games have both resulted in draws and none of the last six encounters have been settled by more than one goal.
Backing the draw – which would suit Barcelona – at 5/2 looks extremely tempting.
Meanwhile, the other game in Group H sees BATE Borisov take on Viktoria Plzen.
BATE need to hope Milan lose their remaining two games and that they are able to overhaul the Italians’ massive goal difference if they are to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
That looks beyond the Belarus side but they should have enough to see off Viktoria Plzen – who have just one point in the group so far – at 10/11.
Elsewhere, Group G leaders Zenit St Petersburg face Apoel Nicosia and are the big 1/2 favourites.
However, the Cypriots have not lost in the group stages this season and backing the draw at 3/1 looks well worth considering.
Finally, the other game in Group G sees former Champions League winners Porto face Shakhtar Donetsk with the Ukranians favourites at 11/8 to get their first win of their European campaign.
