Best bets for British sides in Wednesday’s Champions League games
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It’s a big night of Champions League football on Wednesday with the second round of group games producing some biggies.
Three British teams are in action away with Chelsea facing Atletico Madrid, Manchester United travelling to CSKA Moscow, and Celtic going to Anderlecht.
We’ve run the numbers ahead of the three fixtures and present our best bets below.
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Having drawn their opening group game against Roma, Atletico will be keen on bagging all three points against Chelsea at home.
Diego Simeone’s side are unbeaten this season and have kept clean sheets in their last five games. That includes two from two at the new Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
In total, Rojiblancos have 18 shutouts from their last 22 Champions League home games.
Chelsea’s previous two games with Atleti in Madrid have ended level. This game looks like it’s got Under 2.5 Goals written all over it at 4/7.
The La Liga side are definitely more likely to win considering their proven quality at this level.
However, at 11/10, we’re not convinced there’s enough value there to back it confidently.
Backing the home win and Under 2.5 Goals looks a better bet at 29/10.
CSKA Moscow v Man United
Man United have an awkward-looking fixture to contend with in Moscow. CSKA took all three points in a surprising away win at Benfica and will have their tails up for this one.
However, the Red Devils have never lost to CSKA in four previous meetings, winning two and drawing two.
In fact, Jose Mourinho’s side are unbeaten in all competitions since the Super Cup Final defeat to Real Madrid. They’ll also be buoyed by the fact that all three of CSKA’s defeats have come at home.
Again, the 4/6 on a United win looks too short to back outright.
However, the English Premier League side have three clean sheets in their last four.
Eric Bailly and Phil Jones will be back in the starting eleven having missed the group opener against Basel.
Backing Man United to Win to Nil at 31/20 makes more sense.
Romelu Lukaku has eight goals in all comps this season. The Belgium international is great in these tight, clutch games. At even-money, he’s value to add to his tally.
Anderlecht v Celtic
Brendan Rodgers will be optimistic of a good result against Anderlecht at the Constant Vanden Stock Arena.
The Hoops were outplayed against an imperious Paris Saint-Germain side, but this game is far more winnable.
In addition, the Belgian outfit are not in good form at the minute, either.
They have won just four of their 10 games in all competitions. And have just one victory in 17 UCL games.
Celtic aren’t traditionally strong in Europe away from Parkhead but could be worth a punt tonight at 23/10.
Moussa Dembele returned to first-team action against Rangers last weekend and will be in contention here.
The French under-21 international striker scored three goals in last season’s group stages. He’s 17/10 to find the net Anytime.
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All Odds and Markets correct as of the date of publication
