The Champions League group stage reaches its conclusion this week and we have you covered with some recommended value for Wednesday’s action.
- Lazio to beat Atletico Madrid
- Feyenoord to beat Celtic
- Both teams to score in Antwerp v Barcelona
- Milan to beat Newcastle
Atletico Madrid vs Lazio
Atletico Madrid and Lazio are already assured of a place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League when they meet in Spain on matchday six. However, top spot in the section is still up for grabs and Lazio look overpriced to seal the deal.
The reverse fixture in Rome finished 1-1 on matchday one, but the White and Sky Blues were the better side in that contest and home advantage doesn’t seem enough to turn the tide in Atletico’s favour.
Lazio won the shot count 12-5, the corner count 11-5 and Maurizio Sarri’s men were unfortunate not to take three points when taking Atleti at the Stadio Olimpico.
Sarri’s side have lost only one of their last seven matches and the chances of a White and Sky Blues victory look to have been underplayed by the prices.
Atleti have been on a good run and the Spanish side beat Feyenoord 3-1 in their latest Champions League tie, but those three strikes came from only three shots on target and Diego Simeone’s side are far from a good thing.
Celtic vs Feyenoord
There isn’t anything but pride riding on Celtic’s clash with Feyenoord, but the Dutch side look the more progressive outfit and they can leave Glasgow with three points.
The Club on the Meuse have lost three of their five Champions League group stage matches, but Arne Slot’s men have won the shot count in all of their European games this term and they can consider themselves a little unfortunate not to be in the qualification shake up.
Feyenoord hit two goals, registered 13 shots and took 15 corners when traveling to Spain to face Atletico Madrid, but that wasn’t enough to avoid a 3-2 defeat. However, those are pretty impressive numbers and the Rotterdam side should be too strong for Celtic.
The Bhoys were beaten 2-1 at Kilmarnock on Sunday and they have managed only five victories in 11 matches.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have home advantage, and the energy that the support of the Parkhead crowd generate should not be underestimated, but Celtic don’t appear to be the force of the last couple of seasons and they could suffer defeat in Glasgow.
Antwerp vs Barcelona
Barcelona are assured of a knockout place before the final round of Champions League group stage matches, but it hasn’t been all plain sailing for Xavi’s men.
Barca were fortunate to come from behind to beat Porto 2-1 at the Camp Nou in their latest Champions League contest and, prior to that, they were totally outplayed in a 1-0 defeat to Shakhtar.
Barcelona have won four of their five European matches this term, but three of those have come by a single-goal margin and it hasn’t been a convincing campaign for the Spanish side by any means.
They conceded four goals against Girona on Sunday and there is the prospect of Xavi making major changes to his starting line-up in Belgium.
Antwerp have been outclassed in the Champions League, but they found the net against Porto and Shakhtar, hit three goals on domestic action at the weekend and they look good value to score against a much-changed Barca side.
Newcastle vs AC Milan
Newcastle were dealt a crushing blow when PSG were awarded a controversial late penalty to level the scores on matchday five and that result has left the Magpies struggling to qualify for the knockout stages.
Eddie Howe’s men started their European campaign by taking a point in Milan, but it was Newcastle that had luck on their side on that occasion.
Milan won the shot count 19-4, the corner count 6-2 and they made much of the running at the San Siro.
Newcastle then hammered PSG 4-1 at St James’ Park, but the Magpies were beaten home and away by Dortmund and that has left the Toon Army in trouble.
The Magpies have been hit hard by injuries - they had 12 first-team players missing for last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Spurs - but they have scored only three goals in their last four matches and that has to be a concern.
Newcastle could be boosted by the return of Callum Wilson, Sven Botman and Sean Longstaff on Wednesday, but it may not be enough to hold off Milan.
The Rossoneri have been inconsistent this term, but Stefano Pioli’s men were good enough to beat PSG 2-1 and they have only lost two of their five Champions League group stage matches.
Both sides need to win, and hope Dortmund get the better of PSG, to qualify and that should take the draw out of the equation.
It could play to bypass the draw no bet and double chance options and take a punt on Milan taking the three points they need from their trip to St James’ Park.
