The Champions League group phase is edging towards its climax and matchday five should go a long way to telling us who will be making the knockouts. It should be a thrilling 48 hours, and we’re looking to capitalise on Wednesday with this 4/1 BTTS treble.
With so much attacking quality on display, we’re backing six teams to all find the target. Let’s hope they can provide us with a midweek winner. Here are our selections.
Besiktas v Benfica (5:45PM)
Just one point separates the top three in Group B, and Wednesday’s showdown between Besiktas and Benfica at the Vodafone Arena will have a huge say on deciding those final rankings. It’s a massive fixture, and it should be a thriller.
Both sides have scored six goals and conceded five in the opening four fixtures, which includes a 1-1 draw in Portugal. Meanwhile, Besiktas have been involved in four straight BTTS in Europe while their last three domestic fixtures have resulted in this fashion also.
Moreover, both teams are in great confidence. Benfica are nine games undefeated, which will leave Kostas Mitroglou and co. with every reason to fancy their chances. Besiktas are 15 competitive games unbeaten themselves, and should be equally optimistic thanks to the firepower of Cenk Tosun and Vincent Aboubakar.
It’s a clash that could go either way. On Turkish soil, we’re backing both teams to score.
Arsenal v PSG (7:45PM)
Qualification to the last 16 is already secured for both Arsenal and PSG, but this clash at the Emirates carries huge importance as it’ll almost certainly decide who wins the group to claim a supposedly easier first knockout tie.
The Gunners have scored 12 goals in their opening four Group A fixtures while they are now 17 games unbeaten in all competitions. The attacking qualities of Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, and co. should give them a great chance against a PSG side that aren’t as strong as they once were.
Unai Emery’s men have won eight of their last nine, however, and will hope to see Edinson Cavani continue his scoring form. Given that Arsenal have conceded in each of their last four too, the visitors have no reason to think they won’t score.
In fact, it took PSG just seconds to score in the reverse game, which ended 1-1. If this clash provides a repeat, that would suit us just fine.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s Citizens head to Borussia Park knowing that a draw will virtually guarantee their spot in the last 16. After scoring four in the reverse clash back in September, they should be quietly confident. On the other hand, the hosts will be ready to put up a battle.
After all, a positive result will keep Monchengladbach in the hunt for progression. Or at the very least, it would probably secure their place in the Europa League as Barcelona will be expected to beat Celtic. The hosts have scored in their three Champions League games since that defeat in Manchester while scoring in nine of their 11 home games in all competitions too.
Thorgan Hazard and co. are capable of punishing City’s defensive vulnerabilities, but the visitors boast a wealth of attacking options as well, especially now that Yaya Toure is back in favour. With Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne in their arsenal too, it would be a shock to see the visitors fire a blank.
An away win looks likely, but a score draw may not be out of the question. Either way, we think goals are the safest betting selection.
