Champions League week three to see English clubs go unbeaten

The Champions League group stage reaches the halfway mark this week when Europe’s elite clubs lock horns in week three.

In the last round of action this column correctly predicted a 6/1 accumulator backing Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to win with Manchester City drawing.

A stoppage-time penalty from Mario Balotelli earned the Citizens a point against an impressive Dortmund side, and helped bring the acca home.

This accumulator offers a potential return of 14/1.

Chelsea to draw with Shakhtar Donetsk @ 9/4

Chelsea are joint-top of Group E with Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk after both clubs started their European campaigns with a win and a draw.

The Blues travel to the Donbass Arena in what looks set to be a hotly-contested affair, and will need to marshal Eduardo, Willian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan especially if they are to return to West London with anything.

The two sides look tough to separate, with Chelsea flying high in the English Premier League and Shakhtar miles clear at the top of the Ukrainian top flight, so a draw seems a worthy punt.

Manchester United to beat Braga @ 1/3

Man United are three points clear in Group H after opening their European account with two wins from two, and are expected to record a hat-trick of victories with a triumph over Braga at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese side have taken three points from their first two games, impressively winning 2-0 away to Galatasaray last time out after a shock opening day defeat to Cluj.

United are in good form at the moment in all competitions, having won their last three fixtures after losing to Spurs, and should have too much firepower for Braga.

Arsenal to beat Schalke @ 10/11

Arsenal currently top Group B with two wins from two, but German outfit Schalke lie waiting in second with four points after recording a win and a draw.

A late goal from Montpellier’s Souleymane Camara restricted Schalke to a point in week two, but they responded by winning their fierce domestic derby with Borussia Dortmund 2-1.

The Gunners lost 1-0 away to Norwich in their last Premier League match, but are a different proposition at home – especially in the Champions League – and should be relied upon to secure a third straight European victory.

Manchester City to beat Ajax @ 8/11

Man City slipped to a heartbreaking Ronaldo-induced 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the Spanish capital in week, and only just snatched a point at home to Dortmund in their most recent European clash.

Roberto Mancini’s side desperately need their first Champions League win as they trail José Mourinho’s Group D leaders by five points, and they may well get it against point-less Ajax.

The Citizens will need to watch out for Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen who could prove dangerous at the Amsterdam Arena, but three points appear for the taking for the visitors.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.